JUDGE Andrew Cody noted that a man who came before Portlaoise District Court was the same age as him, to which a garda sergeant replied: “He has a different lifestyle to yours.

JUDGE Susan Fay issued an bench warrant for the arrest of a Portarlington man who failed to appear at last week’s sitting of Portlaoise District Court.

The judge said the 42-year old defendant was was 'out acting the gnat again'.

The court was told that the accused has been in the judicial system since the age of 16.