Tag Archives: Judge Brian O’Callaghan

CLARE’S County Coroner is to write to the State’s national roads agency to highlight concerns over a motorway exit where a Crusheen publican and Glanbia milkman lost his life four years ago. At the inquest into the June 2018 death of Michael Fogarty (57), the man’s widow, Bridget asked that coroner Isobel O’Dea highlight the concerns raised by Judge Brian O’Callaghan in court over the exit where her husband died. At the conclusion of the inquest in Kilrush Courthouse, Mrs Fogarty said that very deliberate comments concerning “deficiencies at Exit 13” were made by Judge O’Callaghan at Ennis Circuit Court last December. The mother of three adult children aged 34, 30 and 26, Mrs Fogarty said that she was raising the matter of Judge O’Callaghan’s comments “in the public interest”. Ms O’Dea stated that she would write to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to highlight the judge’s concerns. Mrs Fogarty agreed with Ms O’Dea when the coroner said “it doesn’t help …

A CIRCUIT court judge conducted court proceedings in the fresh air on the steps of a courthouse after hearing two accused men in a case were exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms, writes Gordon Deegan. At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Brian O’Callaghan transferred court proceedings from his courtroom to the steps of Ennis courthouse and its car park due to what he called “the Covid-19 circumstances in the case”. Shortly after 12.30pm this Monday afternoon, Judge O’Callaghan convened the court from the top of the courthouse steps for the arraignment of five men charged in respect of a violent disturbance at a charity kick-boxing event at a Shannon hotel three years ago. Video footage of the brawl at the Saturday night event was posted on social media soon after. At the bottom of the steps standing in the courthouse car park, five McDonagh men – all wearing masks – each replied ‘guilty’ when arraigned by the court registrar for the offences. At the …

AN Ennis court has heard allegations of “a significant fraud ring” involving members of the Romanian and Traveller communities in Clare and Galway, writes Gordon Deegan. At Ennis Circuit Court, counsel for Aviva Insurance Ireland, John Hogan BL said that he was making the claim on behalf of his client. He said that he would be calling evidence concerning the so-called fraud ring of around 60 claims arising from 16 separate accidents. In the case, Aviva was contesting liability in the personal injury action being taken by Ennis mother-of-five, Keelie Stratton (36) arising from a June 2013 road traffic accident in Ennis. Ms Stratton – who previously lived in England – confirmed to Mr Hogan that she had no knowledge of the existence of the alleged fraud ring involving Romanians and Travellers. In support of his ‘fraud ring’ claim, Mr Hogan began to unroll a laminated chart for the court and before he had done so, Judge Brian O’Callaghan interjected …

A NUMBER of criminal trials due to be heard in Clare this year could be transferred to Dublin due to ongoing Covid-19 regulations, writes Ronan Judge. At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Brian O’Callaghan said the court is not in a position to deal with trials that involve more than one accused person. Judge O’Callaghan said the two metre rule will apply at Ennis Courthouse for trials that are due to commence at Ennis Circuit Court next month. Judge O’Callaghan also told those required to attend trials to wrap up warm as windows and doors are due to be left open to allow for ventilation of the courthouse. Judge O’Callaghan said this had not been an issue during the court’s summer sittings but the situation will be quite different in October, November and December. “Please feel free to wear any warm clothing you wish.” The judge was speaking on Wednesday at a call-over of cases at Ennis Circuit Court. A number …