Free legal aid for man on drugs charges to include translating book of evidence to Polish
Portlaoise District Court
A MAN who is charged with serious drug offences told Judge Susan Fay, through an interpreter, at last week’s sitting of Portlaoise District Court that he didn’t know what to do, because his solicitor wasn’t present to advise him.
The issue arose after Garda Lisa Murray served a book of evidence on Arkadiusz Czarnohorski (48) from Apartment 18 Deerpark Road, Kiltipper, Dublin 24.
He was charged with the possession of amphetamines (speed) and cocaine for his own use and with possessing the same drugs for sale or supply. He was further charged with possession drugs valued over €13,000 for the purpose of selling or supplying on 12 April all at the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise.
Judge Fay was told that the accused had no solicitor in court, with Mr Czarnohorski, through an interpreter telling her: “I don’t know what to do. It’s the first time in my life like this.” Asked by Judge Fay if he wanted some time to contact a solicitor Mr Czarnohorski replied: “Give me some time. I’m confused.” After a while Mr Czarnohorski came back and told Judge Faye that local solicitor Barry Fitzgerald would represent him.
The judge then went on to send the accused forward to the 28 October of Portlaoise Criminal Circuit Court and issued him with a warning that he must notify gardaí in writing within 14 days if he wished to rely on an alibi in his defence.
She approved free legal aid to Mr Fitzgerald that would include translating the book of evidence to Polish, allowed for an interpreter to be available while consulting with Mr Czarnohorski and during his trial. She also granted a request for a senior and junior counsel to assist Mr Fitzgerald.
A second man who was allegedly involved in the same incident was also served with a book of evidence and sent forward to the 28 October sitting of Portlaoise Criminal Circuit Court.
Algimantas Mikstriunas (35) of no fixed abode is charged with money laundering at the same location on the same date.
He was represented by Andrew Dunne BL who said that his client was not seeking bail as he is currently in custody.
Judge Fay also granted free legal aid and the other requests to Mr Dunne that she had granted to Mr Fitzpatrick She also issued an alibi warning to Mr Mikstriunas.
