Portlaoise Court: Judge tells man ‘You’re finished with me now. You can go anywhere’
Portlaoise Courthouse
THERE was a light-hearted exchange at Portlaoise District Court last week when, after a case had concluded, the defendant asked the judge: “What do I do now?” Smiling, the judge replied: “You’re finished with me now. You can go anywhere.”
The moment came about when Eamonn Carroll (62) with no fixed abode appeared in court on monitor by video link from Cloverhill Prison where he had been held in custody.
He was summonsed with being intoxicated to such an extent of being a danger to himself and to others on 28 January this year at the A&E department of Portlaoise Hospital.
Due to the ongoing free legal aid dispute between solicitors and the Department of Justice Mr Carroll said that he had no legal representative.
Judge Andrew Cody said he could adjourn the case to allow time for the defendant to try and find a solicitor, or he could enter a guilty or not guilty plea to the offence.
Mr Carroll said he would plead guilty to the offence.
Asked if he wished to say anything in his defence before passing sentence Mr Carroll said: “I did stop drinking there for a while.”
Judge Cody applied Section 1.1 of the Probation Act.
“What do I do now,” asked Mr Carroll to which Judge Cody replied: “You’re finished with me now. You can go anywhere.”
