Portlaoise Court: Judge and defendant share same age but ‘different lifestyles’
Portlaoise Courthouse
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.”
The wisecrack brought some light heartedness and laughter to the normally well-ordered courtroom.
It came about when Paul O'Shea, 69 Hillview Drive, Knockmay, Portlaoise was up for sentencing after a report had been compiled to determine his suitability for a community service order.
He had previously pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and failing to comply with the directions of a garda on 18 September last at Lyster Square, Portlaoise.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said that at 6.45pm on the day in question, Mr O’Shea was found in a very aggressive state, shouting at gardaí and had to be arrested.
Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald told Judge Cody that his 61-year-old client was deemed unsuitable on medical grounds to carry out a community service order.
Mr Fitzgerald said it wasn't Mr O'Shea’s, “first rodeo in court and he gave a bit of lip”, to gardaí.
“But he’s a man that's in a different place in terms of his behaviour and is living life very quiet now,” he said.
Sgt. Kirby said that he has known the defendant for years and that “age has caught up with him and it appears his travelling days are over”.
“He's the same age as I am," said Judge Cody, to which Sgt. Kirby replied: “He has a different life-style to yours.”
The court heard that the defendant had 97 previous convictions.
Sgt. Kirby said: “He was a prolific burglar when I first came across him 20 years ago. He's had a horrendous past record.”
Judge Cody went on to convict Mr O’Shea for failing to comply with the directions of a garda, imposed a two-month custodial sentence, which he suspended for two years, and took the other public order offence into consideration.
