Neighbours’ row ends in poor box donation in Carlow court
Carlow courthouse Photo: Michael O'Rourke
A BAGENALSTOWN woman who was found intoxicated in the housing estate in which she lives following a dispute with a neighbour avoided a conviction at Carlow District Court after €200 was handed in to the court poor box. Linda Canavan (42), Páirc Gleann na Bearú, Royal Oak Road, Moneybeg, Muine Bheag entered a guilty plea in relation to the incident and came to court with money for the poor box.
Carlow District Court heard that at 7.23pm on 10 August 2023, gardaí attended a scene at Páirc Gleann na Bearú housing estate, where numerous people from the same estate were engaged in arguments and counter-arguments.
Gardaí spoke to all those present, the court heard.
They later called to Ms Canavan’s house, but she was not at home. She was subsequently located in the estate in an intoxicated condition and was arrested for a section 4 public order offence.
The court heard that Ms Canavan has no previous convictions.
Defending solicitor Joe Farrell asked the court to take into account that the incident happened “some time ago”.
He said that “matters have been resolved since then regarding the neighbours’ dispute”.
Mr Farrell told the court that his client was “completely pro-social and desperately trying to avoid conviction”.
He said she had brought €200 to court with her, which was “not simple for her to gather up”, adding that she is a mother.
“She is extremely worried, to put it mildly,” he said.
Judge Geraldine Carthy accepted the €200 for the court poor box and applied the Probation Act, meaning Ms Canavan avoided a conviction.
“I will leave the matter stand. She has had two opportunities and will not get a third,” Judge Carthy said.
