Judge takes issue with defendants’ legal choices in Carlow court
Judge Geraldine Carthy Photo: michaelorourkephotography.ie
THERE were terse exchanges at Carlow District Court recently when two defendants, both appearing without legal representation, insisted they did not want solicitors, prompting Judge Geraldine Carthy to step in and assign someone to both men.
The first man came before the court on 18 March in connection with an alleged burglary and told Judge Carthy he would be representing himself. Checking that he understood the seriousness of the situation, Judge Carthy asked if he was sure he did not want a solicitor, adding: “This is a serious offence.”
“No, I don’t want a solicitor,” the man replied.
The court heard that the defendant had been captured on the owner’s CCTV system entering a back yard and opening the door to a home office located there.
When gardaí arrived, he was found sitting in a chair at the desk and, the court heard, immediately accepted arrest.
As Judge Carthy said she was accepting jurisdiction in the case, the man interjected: “Not guilty.”
The judge again urged him to consider legal representation.
“Whatever you want to do,” he replied in a disgruntled tone.
“Fantastic,” Judge Carthy responded, before assigning him a solicitor.
In a separate case, a second defendant who was arrested that same morning also appeared before the court without a solicitor.
Judge Carthy asked: “Have you no solicitor? You know what I’m going to ask next …”
“Yeah, I don’t know why I’m here for what. I didn’t do anything,” the man replied.
“I’m not going to engage in conversation with you. Do you want a solicitor?” the judge asked.
“No,” he replied.
The court heard there was no objection to bail for the alleged offences before the court â a section 9 firearms offence and two section 6 public order offences.
“Do you wish to plead guilty?” Judge Carthy asked.
“For what matters?” the defendant replied.
Judge Carthy told him it was for the matters she had just read out to him.
She then turned to a solicitor in court and said: “Please look after this gentleman,” asking him to “go through matters” with the defendant.
