The late Conal Gildea

There will be no prosecution into the death of popular Ardara GAA player Conal Gildea, who died last year after falling into the River Liffey.

The body of the late Conal Gildea was retrieved from Britton Quay, in Dublin’s city centre on April 29th, 2013.

Gildea was a teenage sensation for Ardara, and is regarded as one of the most talented players the club ever produced.

Gildea was employed as a plumber in Dublin at the time of his tragic death.

At his inquest last year, the cause of death was determined as drowning, although the Gardaí were carrying out an investigation into issues of ‘supply’ that could lead to prosecution.

However, at the Coroner’s Court yesterday Inspector Martin Mooney said a file had gone to DPP with instructions returned that there is to be no prosecution.

The inquest was then adjourned for a full hearing on January 9th 2015.

A Ballybofey woman has been charged with stealing almost €40,000 from her employer over a two year period.

Letterkenny courthouse.

Christine Griffin, who worked as a book-keeper with a local pharmacy, appeared at Letterkenny District Court this morning.

The 47 year old woman is charged with a total of 31 offenses of theft over a two year period.

Detective Garda Brendan Regan told the court that he arrested Ms Griffin this morning at Newline Road but she made no reply when the charges were put to her.

The court was told that Ms Griffin stole a total of €39,770.30 over a two year period at the pharmacy in Ballybofey.

However, over the past year Ms Griffin, of Carrickmagrath, Ballybofey has paid back a total of €19, 110 of the stolen cash to the company.

Inspector David Kelly said the Director of Public Prosecutions has agreed to dispose of the case on a plea of guilty.

Defense solicitor Patsy Gallagher asked to have the case adjourned until December 17th which Judge Paul Kelly agreed to.

A Judge has ordered the arrest of a farmer whose donkeys almost caused a crash with a Garda car.

Garda Harvey Maughan told Letterkenny District Court that he rounded a sharp bend at Thorn Road in Letterkenny on March 11th last and almost collided with two donkeys and a pony.

He revealed the animals belonged to local farmer Leslie Stewart, 66, who was charged with allow beasts to wander.

However, when he called to Stewart’s home, he refused to answer the door.

“I rounded the bend and had to brake sharply to avoid the animals.

“The fencing had completed deteriorated and the animals could just walk through it,” revealed Garda Maughan.

Garda Maughan told Judge Paul Kelly that Stewart is under the observation of both the ISPCA and the Gardai in respect to looking after his animals.

“I don’t know if you’d call him a farmer but he keeps animals. His land has been rented to other people but he continues to keep animals.

“He lacks the capability or ant to look after his animals. He is being monitored by the ISPCA and the Gardai,” said Garda Maughan.

The court heard that Stewart has previous convictions for cruelty to animals and also having no tax.

Garda Maughan added that he had spotted Stewart, who was not in court, traveling in the opposite direction of the courthouse earlier today.

Judge Paul Kelly issued a bench warrant for Stewart’s arrest.

A DJ at a popular nightclub says he has no doubt he would have been seriously hurt but for the swift actions of security staff after he was attacked by three brothers.

The Doherty brothers appeared at Letterkenny Court.

DJ Kevin Lennon was working at Voodoo Nightclub in Letterkenny when he opened a door to assist staff in ejecting a man from the club.

However, a short time later he was attacked in a vicious manner which left him with a cut to the lip and other bruising.

Three brothers, Liam, James and Peter Doherty of Drumnaskea, Letterkenny appeared at Letterkenny District Court yesterday in connection with the incident which took place on January 14th last.

CCTV footage was viewed of the incident in court which showed Mr Lennon being punched by Peter Doherty before he fell to the ground and being surrounded by all three brothers.

Peter Doherty, 21, was charged with assault while his two brothers Liam, 22 and James, 24, were charged with public order offences.

Solicitor Patsy Gallagher said there was too much drink taken and it was Peter Doherty who admitted assaulting Mr Lennon.

He said it was a case that they did not realise he was a member of staff and had thought that he had been another man who had earlier attacked Peter who was home for Australia for Christmas.

Judge Paul Kelly asked Mr Lennon of Drumardagh, if he was recovered from his ordeal and if he would like to address the court.

Mr Lennon said he would simply like to thank the security staff at Voodoo.

“Who knows what might have happened if they had not acted so quickly. This could have been a hospitalization case,” he said.

Judge Kelly said “As Mr Lennon said – if it was not for the reaction of the staff it could have been a lot worse. This was a very nasty incident for Mr Lennon when suddenly he finds himself on the ground with people with that level of intent around him.”

He asked defense solicitor Mr Gallagher if the Doherty brothers had anything concrete to offer Mr Lennon by way of an apology.

Mr Gallagher came back and said they could offer him a total of €500.

Judge Kelly said refused the offer but said that if the men came up with a total of €1,500, he would adjourn the case until January 19th.

“They’re all in this together as far as I can see,” added Judge Kelly.

A 47 year old man, who has been “drinking heavily”, has been fined €100 for stealing a bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin from Tesco in Letterkenny.

Letterkenny courthouse.

Philip Donkar admitting taking the alcohol on October 1st last.

The court heard Donkar, of 20 Fortwell, Letterkenny, had purchased a number of items but left without paying for the gin.

He was observed on CCTV taking the gin and was apprehended by security staff.

Solicitor Gordon Curley said his client was “contrite and ashamed” of his actions and was under the influence of alcohol at the time.

However, he co-operated and the property was recovered.

The court heard he has previous convictions for using a false instrument, larceny and also having unlawful carnal knowledge.

Judge Kelly fined the man €100 and allowed him three months to pay.

A Judge has asked those involved  in the case of a Donegal-based civil servant  charged with accessing information on computers at the Department of Social Protection and passing information to a third party to ‘focus their minds.’

The case of Rory Lenihan, of 2A Ballaghaderg, Letterkenny, Co Donegal was mentioned at Letterkenny District Court.

He is charged with a total of 64 offences.

The offences are alleged to have taken place at the offices of the Department of Social Protection at Oliver Plunkett Road in Letterkenny between January 2008 and October 2010.

However, when the matter was raised yesterday, the court was told by Garda Inspector David Kelly that it was not in a position to proceed.

Solicitor for the accused, Kieran Dillon, said his client was anxious to have the matter moved on.

He asked Judge Paul Kelly if the case could be heard the next time with pre-emptory against the State but this was declined.

Inspector David Kelly said the case should be ready to proceed on the next occasion.

Judge Paul Kelly adjourned the case until december 15th next.

A teenager who appeared before Letterkenny District Court is to be allowed to go to a Halloween Ball after a Judge relaxed his curfew hours.

Solicitor Patsy Gallagher

The 16 year old, who cannot be named, appeared before the court on a public order charge.

Gardai asked the court to order the man to observe a curfew between the hours of 8am and 8pm each day and to sign on at Letterkenny Garda Station twice a week.

However Judge Paul Kelly agreed to give the youth an extra hour until 9pm each evening.

The youth then asked if he could be allowed to extend the curfew until 10pm but this was refused.

Through his solicitor, Mr Patsy Gallagher, the teen then asked of he would be allowed to go to a Halloween Ball this Friday night at the Golden Grill Nightclub in Letterkenny.

Judge Kelly considered the request and was told the event finished at midnight.

He agreed to allow the teenager to go to the party but told him the curfew was only extended until 12.30am for the night.

Judge Kelly said he was sure there would be Gardai in the area that night keeping an eye on proceedings.

Garda Inspector David Kelly said they were aware of the defendant’s address and could always send a car around to his house at 12.30am to ensure he was home.

Austin Stewart from Fahan arrives in court in Carndonagh today

The family of a pensioner killed in a road crash have asked the Director of Public Prosecutions to review the case after a man appeared in court today.

Maura Porter was fatally injured as she walked home from Mass on December 30 last year close to her Co Donegal home.

It took more than 50 minutes for an ambulance to get to the scene close to the 70 year old’s home in Carndonagh on the Inishowen Peninsula.

Austin Stewart from Ballinahone, Fahan, appeared at Carndonagh District Court today to face four charges.

He was charged with driving without an NCT certificate, failing to display an NCT certificate, driving a vehicle with a defective headlight and driving a vehicle with a bald tyre.

Inspector David Murphy told the court that he was seeking an adjournment in the case.

“This incident led to the death of a local lady,” he said.

“And there is a mechanism in place to allow an appeal to ask the DPP to review the charges.”

Ciaran McLaughlin, solicitor for 64-year-old Stewart, said his client was willing to enter a plea to the charges.

He said no appeal had been lodged.

Solicitor for the Porter family Kerry Hegarty said the family only learned of the charges before the court on Sunday evening and are now asking the DPP to review the charges in the case.

Mrs Porter’s daughter Davina wept as she said: “My mother died as a result of this.”

Judge Paul Kelly agreed with Inspector Murphy that the case should be adjourned until January 20 next year to await the result of a possible DPP review of charges before the court.

An independent review of ambulance services was sparked following the death of Mrs Porter.

Former Health Minister James Reilly confirmed the move by the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA).

A number of areas including Donegal came under the microscope in relation to ambulance response times and availability.

The late Maura Porter

Dr Reilly said: “I know there has been a lot of concern over a number of incidents recently. And I am concerned myself. I’m very happy for HIQA to bring this forward and have a very thorough review of all these situations of the entire service, tell us what they feel the problem is, where the problems lie and we will address them. Because the safety of our citizens has to be paramount.”

Local Deputy Charlie McConalogue, a personal friend of the bereaved Porter family, raised the issue in the Dail.

He revealed how there was an ambulance stationed less than half a mile away from where Mrs Porter had been knocked down but this had been called away.

At the time he called for an immediate investigation into the circumstances of the ambulance response time in the case and a review of ambulance services in Co Donegal.

Not very Christian….Jens Christiansen going into custody

THIS is the Danish tourist caught after stealing a poor box from a Co Donegal church.

He is Jens Christiansen, from Ledegardskov, Graasten – and he was nabbed with hundreds of euros of other coins - when he was spotted at Grainne’s Gap on October 9.

Garda Paul Lynch told Carndonagh Court that the 61-year-old was very nervous when he asked him what he was doing there.

There were bags and bags of coins in the hire car which Christiansen had hired at Dublin airport.

“He said he had brought the coins into Ireland in his hand luggage which wasn’t credible because there was so much of it. It had been bagged and marked,” said Garda Lynch.

During the search of the car, Gardaí found a collection box which had been stolen from Linsfort chapel in Buncrana.

They also found three screw drivers, gloves, a hacksaw and a torch.

“At that stage the accused admitted stealing the box from the church and that he was about to use the hacksaw to break it open,” said Detective Lynch.

The stolen box contained €379.71 and Stg£60.08 while Det Gda Lynch said they also recovered a further Stg£1,374 and €579, all in coins.

Judge Paul Kelly asked the accused what he was doing in Ireland and stealing church collection boxes to which Christiansen replied: “It was a bad idea. I am a tourist.”

Judge Kelly ordered that the church collection box and its contents be returned to the church and ordered that all the other coins be forfeited to the State, but allowed the thief to keep €355 in cash to allow him to return to Denmark on his Norwegian Airlines flight on October 27.

He jailed Christansen for three months but back-dated the sentence to October 9.

However, he suspended the rest of the sentence from October 26 for a period of two years on condition he does not return to Ireland.

The Ocean Court where McGuinness went bonkers

A CARNDONAGH man who was ‘out of his mind with drink’ grabbed a statute of Buddha and chucked a table over the counter of a Chinese takeaway, the local district court has heard.

Inspector David Murphy told the district court that Gardai were called to the Ocean Court in the Diamond in Carn on May 26 last year.

The owner of the premises was standing outside waiting for officers.

Inspector Murphy said gardai had found McGuinness “out of his mind with drink” inside the takeaway.

The owner complained that McGuinness, from Churchtown in Carndonagh and who will be 28 next Sunday, had grabbed a statute of Buddha, was roaring and shouting and had just thrown a table over the counter.

Inspector Murphy said that McGuinness had also taken his trousers down. He handed in still images taken from the takeaway’s CCTV cameras showing this and the other offences.

McGuinness admitted being intoxicated in a public place, using threatening and abusive language and criminal damage.

It took the inspector some time to go over McGuinness’s previous criminal record which included several convictions for assault.

Solicitor Frank Dorrian told Judge Paul Kelly: “The recurring pattern with this man is one of alcohol abuse; he has little or no recollection of what went on during this incident. It is inexplicable as to what he was doing.

“He had been drinking vodka around the clock at that time.”

Mr Dorrian said however that McGuinness’s life had now changed. He was no longer drinking and was getting support at AA meetings.

He was determined to continue with this new life and had brought €186 to court to pay for the damage done to the restaurant.

Judge Kelly ordered a probation and community service report to monitor McGuinness’s progress and adjourned sentence until January 20.

The cottage at Sandfield, Ardara which now officially belongs to the Eastwoods. Pic copyright of North West News Pix.

A couple have finally been allowed to buy their 300 year old Co Donegal cottage house after living in it rent-free for sixteen years.

Malachy and Lorraine Eastwood agreed a deal to buy the run-down cottage in Ardara in 1998 for IRL£10,000 from businesswoman Suzanne Rafferty.

However, despite moving into the home and spending up to €50,000 renovating it, the sale of the home was never formalised and they couldn’t get the deeds.

Auctioneer Ms Rafferty took the Eastwoods to court claiming the contract was not valid and sought damages.

Ms Rafferty, a mother-of-twins who had lived in Sweden for several years between 1998 and 2007, claimed the Eastwoods never paid rent and excluded her from the property.

However, barrister for the Eastwoods, Mr Peter Nolan, told Letterkenny Civil Circuit Court that his cients had tried their utmost to complete the sale over the years.

He said part of the deal was that Ms Rafferty would also seek a Section 49 application for adverse posession of some lands around the cottage.

He produced a series of letters from his client’s legal team to Ms Rafferty and her legal team asking for her to complete the sale including the Section 49 application.

It was also agreed in court that the Eastwoods had paid a sum of IRL£3,000 for the contents of the house as well as a IRL£1,000 deposit.

Ms Rafferty said she also gave Mrs Eastwood a diamond ring as part of the deal but this was denied by the defendants who said they had never seen a diamond ring.

Mr Nolan said the reality of the situation was one borne out of greed on behalf of the now London-based Ms Rafferty.

He claimed that despite agreeing a sum of IRL£10,000 for the cottage at Sandfield, Ardara, its value had increased substancially due to the arrival of the Celtic Tiger.

“I’ll tell you the real reason the house sale was not completed. By 2006, property sales had risen. You sold it in 1998 and it was now worth thee or four times that value and you were getting a bit windy and you didn’t want to complete the sale.

“You had been sitting on it for eight years and you had sold it for IRL£10,000 and it was probably worth four times that.

“You were sitting on it and hoping the sale would fall through and you would see a nice, handy profit,” Mr Nolan told Ms Rafferty.

Ms Rafferty claimed there had been “nepotism” used as the estate agent handling the sale of the cottage, Belfast-based Brendan Eastwood, is a cousin of the buyer Malachy Eastwood.

“I believe they (the estate agent) were acting in their profession for them (the buyers) and not for me,” said Ms Rafferty in evidence.

At one stage Gardai were forced to intervene in the dispute when Ms Rafferty arrived at the property in 2001 after she said she was informed that payments were not being made on the cottage.

Malachy Eastwood said “She arrived and asked me what business I had of renovating her property and that it did not belong to me. She got aggressive and with her being a woman and becoming aggressive, I called the Gardai in Glenties. They told her it was a civil matter and they couldn’t interfere,” he said.

Judge Mary Faherty said she was satisfied that the Eastwoods had tried to complete the sale of the cottage through their legal team.

She agreed with their barrister Peter Nolan that they were “ready, willing and able” to pay the amount agreed in 1998.

She found in favour of the defendants for the original price of IRL£10,000 minus the deposit and allowed one month for the balance to be paid.

No order was made for costs.

Speaking after the case to Donegal Daily, Mr Eastwood said he was pleased with the result but it had not really sunk in yet.

“We’re just delighted and it has been a long time coming. Our house can now be a home. It really hasn’t sunk in yet,” he said.

A man is to appear in court this evening in connection with the deaths of tragic Donegal couple Jimmy and Kathleen Cuddity.

Detectives outside of the home where a husband and wife in their 70′s were found dead this morning. Pic by North-west-newspix.

The 42 year old will appear at a special sitting of Ballyshannon District Court.

A garda press statement said the man will appear in connection with an investigation into the discovery of two bodies, a man 77 years and a woman 73 years, at their home in Carndonagh, yesterday morning.

The man has ben questioned at Buncrana Garda station since yesterday morning.

He was arrested by Gardai close to a lake outside Carndonagh.

Julian Cuddihy being led into Ballyshannon Court tonight by Detective Garda Bernard Mullins. Pic copyright North West News Pix.

A man has been charged with the murder of his parents after appearing at a special sitting of Ballyshannon District Court this evening.

Julian Cuddihy, 42, of Churchtown, Carndonagh was remanded in custody to appear at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court next Wednesday.

Detective Garda Bernard Mullins told the court that he arrested Cuddihy and charged him with two counts of murder at Buncrana garda station last night.

To the first count Cuddihy replied “I have no response” and to the second count he added “I’m not signing that.”

Solicitor Ray Lannon of Michael D White Solicitors in Carndonagh asked Judge Kevin Kilrane that his client receive immediate psychiatric assessment at Castlerea Prison.

Judge Kevin Kilrane asked Mr Lannon if his client had a history of mental illness.

Judge Kilrane was told that a local doctor had attended Cuddihy, 42, on October 15th but he was not psychiatric assessed.

“He was previously assessed and there was no diagnosis of psychiatric illness found.”

Judge Kilrane then recommended that the accused be assessed as was conveniently possible.

Free legal aid was also granted in the case.

Cuddihy, 42, was represented by Ray Lannon of Michael White Solicitors from Carndongh.

Cuddihy, wearing blue tracksuit bottoms and a wine-coloured sweat top and black trainers, sat wringing his hands throughout the hearing.

He was accompanied into court by three Donegal-based detectives who sat beside him throughout the hearing.

The couple were found by family members at their home at Churchtown, on the outskirts of Carndonagh just after 9am on Thursday.

The couple were very well-known in the area.

Mrs Cuddihy, 73, was a former nurse who was originally from Malin Head.

She was well-known throughout Donegal for her voluntary work especially with Letterkenny General Hospital.

Her husband Jimmy, 77, was originally from Kilkenny but had moved to Donegal to work many decades ago.

He was a former maths teacher at Carndonagh Community School and still gave maths grinds to local pupils in the area.

Julian Cuddihy, 42, arriving at a special sitting in Ballyshannon District Court this evening.Photo: James Connolly / PicSell824OCT14

Principal of Deele College Joe Boyle gets into the spirit.

George Best was in his debut season as a Manchester united player, The Beatles were sweeping through America and in the town of Raphoe, the doors of Deele College were opened for the very first time.

We never new former principal PJ McGowan was a Teddy Boy in the day!

Yesterday, the staff and students of the school kicked off the 50th anniversary celebrations in some style, with a 1960’s themed parade through the town of Raphoe, before showcasing their talents to a packed Diamond.

There was a cacophony of noise and a vast array of resplendent colours, as the school community, both past and present, joined together for this fun filled day.

Some of the regalia on show included figures from the past, such as Muhammad Ali, JFK and John Lennon, while historical milestones from the era were also celebrated, such as the first lung transplant, the first MRI and the first colour television, showing just how far we have come in fifty years.

There were some brilliant performances at The Diamond from students, who sang, acted and recited poetry, while others ensured there were plenty of laughs with their eccentric outfits.

The event showed the hard work that the students are willing to put in outside the classroom, as well as inside.

Thanks to the students and staff, the day was a massive success and gave students the opportunity to take time out from their busy schedules, to celebrate a significant milestone in the school’s history.

The Student Council and members of staff from The Royal and Prior also attended the event and showed their support for the celebrations, illustrating the great working relationship that exists between the two schools.

A series of events has been organised for the anniversary and they will take place early next year. These events will bring together former students and former members of staff, where they will get the opportunity to reminisce about their days at the school.

The current students and members of staff are looking forward to showcasing the school and it is hoped that the 50th anniversary celebrations will live long in the memory.

Rosaleen is having a ‘Harte to Harte’ with these two men in Raphoe.

A JUDGE has ordered the arrest of man who hasn’t made payments towards his ex-partner and their children.

The woman in the case told Judge Paul Kelly that arrears of €16,800 was now outstanding.

Despite numerous legal letters to the man, he has failed to appear before Carndonagh District Court.

Judge Paul Kelly asked if the man was in court, but he wasn’t.

The judge then told the woman that all he could do at this stage was to order his arrest; and he issued a bench warrant for the man’s arrest.

A MAN accused of stabbing a pensioner in his home will find out on December 16 what charges he will face at his trial.

Patrick McLoughlin was stabbed at his home in Convent Road in Carndonagh in May this year.

Lee Mitchell, who is 33 and has an address at Windmill Park in Letterkenny, has been charged assault causing harm and with a burglary at another address in Carndonagh on the same day.

Inspector David Murphy told Judge Paul Kelly the case was being adjourned until December 16 to await directions from the DPP.

A DRINK-driving teenager has apologised to a judge for leading Gardaí on a chase through the Donegal countryside and told him: “I haven’t touched a drink since.”

Ryan Ivers, who is 19 and from Dunaff, Clonmany, admitted he was drunk when he got into his car on December 21 last year.

Inspector David Murphy told Judge Paul Kelly that Gardai had to stop a pursuit of Ivers because he was driving so fast and so dangerously.

“He was driving on the wrong side of the road and Gardai decided to end the pursuit fearing a serious road traffic collision,” he said.

After a mile, Ivers crashed his car at Tir na League and Gardaí arrested him. He later had a recording of 66 for alcohol, more than twice the legal limit.

Mr Ivers, from Dunaff, Clonmany, represented himself in court.

He told Judge Paul Kelly: “I haven’t drunk alcohol since.”

He was also charged with having no insurance and no driving licence.

“You could have killed somebody including yourself,” Judge Kelly told him.

“What where you doing driving like this?” asked the judge.

Ivers replied: “I just panicked.”

Judge Kelly told the teenager: “You’re lucky to be alive. You have very little insight into the consequences of driving like this. You are facing three serious charges, drink driving, driving dangerously and having no insurance. All three carry prison sentences.”

Ivers said he was “very very sorry” for his actions.

Judge Kelly adjourned sentence until January and ordered Ivers to attend the pro-social drivers course, where he will meet relatives of people killed in road traffic collisions.

A CO Donegal man has been jailed for 14 days for refusing to provide for his children.

Judge Paul Kelly handed down the sentence at a sitting of Carndonagh District Court.

The case was a family law case, so the parties cannot be identified.

The man had claimed he didn’t have any money.

But under cross-examination by a solicitor he admitted spending money on weekend events and going out.

He said he didn’t go to see his children because he didn’t have a car; and didn’t want to drive to see them in his tractor.

The solicitor then produced Facebook pictures – posted by the man himself on his own Facebook Page – showing the man out at sea fishing in recent weeks.

The solicitor said this left a huge question mark over the man’s claims that he didn’t have any money.

Judge Paul Kelly said he believed the man was hiding income from his ex partner and their children. He jailed the man for 14 days for non-payment of maintenance towards them.

Judge Paul Kelly

A JUDGE has dismissed three alleged speeding offences detected by GoSafe vans, two of them against motorists who said they didn’t get the fixed penalty notices in the post.

Judge Paul Kelly made the rulings at Carndonagh District Court. It’s the latest in a series of cases where judges are refusing to convict drivers who say they didn’t receive the notices.

Fisherman Sean Arrow, with an address at 65 Malin Road, Moville, said he had only learned of the case against the him the day before the court – when he returned from sea.

He had been accused of driving at 91km/h in an 80km/h zone at Cashel, Carndonagh, on March 28 this year.

“I didn’t receive any notice,” Mr Arrow told the judge.

“I’m not saying it didn’t arrive. It’s just I didn’t see it and it may well be my 81-year-old mother has lifted it and put it away but I certainly didn’t see it.”

Judge Kelly dismissed the case.

In another case Dara Furey, of Drumadoey, Burnfoot, had been summonsed for exceeding the 60km/hr limit at Churchland Quarters, Carndonagh in April this year.

He told the judge he had never received the fixed penalty notice.

“If I had received it I would have paid it straight away but I didn’t,” he said.

The defendant in one case was listed as ‘Eddie McDaid Construction Limited’ a company with an address at 14 Maxwell Road, Rathmines.

A vehicle registered to the company had been detected doing 89km/hr in an 80km/h zone at Cashel, Carndonagh on March 28 this year.

A subsequent fixed penalty hadn’t been paid.

Judge Kelly told Inspector David Murphy that he could not convict a limited company on the charge.

Inspector Murphy asked for an adjournment of the case to allow him to make contact with the ticketing office of GoSafe.

Judge Kelly asked if ‘Eddie McDaid’ was in court.

A man answering to the name said he was, with the judge asking him if he had driven the 300kms from Dublin.

“I drove up last night,” he said.

Judge Kelly struck the case out, adding: “In the circumstances I will not allow an adjournment.”

Under current laws companies or their directors are not legally obliged to nominate or name the drivers of vehicles at the time they were detected speeding.

A JUDGE has reprimanded a 53-year-old man who was attempting to start a cannabis grow house in his house in Donegal.

Conal Gillespie admitted having seven half-grown cannabis plants and four dead cannabis plants in the attic of his Inishowen bungalow.

Inspector David Murphy told Carndonagh District Court that the cannabis – worth around €700 – was found during a Garda search of Gillespie’s home at Carrowkeel, Quigleys Point on September 17.

A defence solicitor said the 53-year-old is a highly intelligent academic and language translator.

“This was essentially a bit if curiosity to him. It wasn’t a successful operation as evidenced by the dead plants,” said the lawyer.

Judge Kelly told the defendant: “You’re a bit long in the tooth for this sort of operation Mr Gillespie.”

Judge Kelly adjourned the case until December, ordering Gillespie to make a €250 donation to Clonmany Youth Club.