Tag Archives: Judge Mary Larkin

A MOTHER has lost her court battle with her estranged partner to have their son enrolled in a primary Gaelscoil. At the Family Law Court, Judge Mary Larkin issued a ‘Níl’ to the mother’s wish to enrol the couple’s young boy at her local Gaelscoil. Instead, Judge Larkin made a court order directing that the child commence school chosen by the boy’s father where subjects – apart from Irish – will be taught through English. In making her ruling, Judge Larkin stated that she has taken into account that the child has speech and language difficulties and that she was absolutely satisfied that a second language can be introduced later. Judge Larkin said that “when he goes to school there is no need for the child to be perplexed or bothered by a second language while he is coming to terms with his first language”. The couple have joint custody of the child and Judge Larkin criticised the two over …

A JUDGE has compared a late night chaotic farm-yard scene where a father and son confronted Gardai with a pitch-fork and a calving jack to something from the Wild West. At Kilrush District Court, Judge Mary Larkin described the conduct of Denis Waters (53) and his son, Brian Waters (25) both with an address at Lacken, Kilmihil as “unbelievable”. Judge Larkin stated, “If it was the Wild West you would say something but this is supposed to be a civilised country.” Solicitor for Denis Waters, Patrick Moylan said that “chaos” unfolded after Brian Waters looked on at around 1.30am on October 26 last to see Gardai pursue his father, Denis into the farm-yard at Derreen, Tullycrine near Kilrush. Solicitor for Brian Waters, John Casey said that “out of nothing, all hell broke loose” in the farm-yard as his client was helping a cow to calve at the time when Denis Waters and Gardai entered the yard. Mr Moylan said that …

Dubbed the ‘best looking fighter since Muhammad Ali’ professional fighter, Patrick Donovan’s clean record escaped a knock out blow today after a judge struck out a speeding prosecution against him. At Gort District Court this Friday, Mr Donovan (23) of Clancy Park, Ennis, pleaded guilty to a speeding offence after he was detected driving at 162kmph in a 120kmph speed zone on October 6 last at Cullenagh More on the M18 linking Limerick to Galway. Currently being trained by former WBO middleweight world champion, Andy Lee, Mr Donovan accepted in court that he was driving in excess of the 120kmph speed limit and told Judge Mary Larkin that he was on his way to give a talk at a suicide prevention event in Co. Mayo. Recently, the 13-time Irish champion, Mr Donovan spoke about the loss of his best friend, aged 28 and first cousin, aged 25 to suicide last year. In court, Mr Donovan said, “I didn’t realise I …

A CHAINSAW was one of the weapons allegedly produced during a “horrible, unsavoury” incident last Sunday afternoon at an Ennis housing estate. At Ennis District Court after viewing CCTV evidence of the flashpoint at Davitt Terrace, Cloughleigh at 12.30pm last Sunday afternoon, solicitor for three accused men in the case, Daragh Hassett admitted the video “is not Bord Failte material for Ennis”. On Wednesday, Mr Hassett told the court: “It is unsavoury. It is horrible and it shouldn’t have happened but my clients say they are not guilty of the charges before the court.” Mr Hassett said that the CCTV footage produced by the State doesn’t help the State case in the charges against his clients. Mr Hassett said that the footage showed one man with an “active chainsaw” who is not one of his own clients. Objecting to bail against the three accused, Bernard McDonagh (55), Thomas McDonagh (21) and Michael McDonagh (32) all of the unofficial halting site …

A man was hospitalised after he was allegedly attacked by a teenager using a baseball bat in a residential area of Ennis. Thomas McCarthy (35) was struck “numerous times” when he was allegedly assaulted by a teenager in broad daylight last Thursday, Ennis district court heard. Ciaran Quinn (19), a married father of two with an address at Watery Road, Ennis, appeared before the court last week charged with assault causing harm to Thomas McCarthy at Oak Park, Ennis on May 19. Judge Mary Larkin granted bail subject to conditions and the case was adjourned to a later date for directions from the director of public prosecutions (DPP) on how the case is to proceed. The court heard Thomas McCarthy’s injuries were non-life threatening. In court, Garda Alan Hill gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Quinn. Garda Hill said the accused made no reply to the charge after caution. Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said she had no …

THE 38-year old daughter of a EuroMillions winner is set to receive an automatic driving ban over an incident in Ballina last year. This follows solicitor for Kevanne McNamara, Daragh Hassett telling Ennis District Court on Tuesday that his client is to enter a plea of guilty to a single count of dangerous driving. A conviction for dangerous driving will result in a mandatory driving ban for Ms McNamara of Ard Coillte, Ballina, Co Tipperary as a judge has no discretion in the matter and must impose a ban. Kevanne McNamara’s family connection to Dolores McNamara, who won a then record €115 million EuroMillions jackpot in August 2005, was not referred to in court. In total, Ms McNamara is facing charges concerning four driving-related alleged offences that include two counts of dangerous driving from one day in July last year. The four charges include a charge of Ms McNamara driving her 11-C registered car under the influence of an intoxicant …

A 32-year-old west Clare man “destroyed” the family home in a row with his mother over the purchase of dog food, a court has heard. At Ennis District Court, Sergeant Louis Moloney said that the man sent his mother a text message on Monday of the week in question concerning the family dog. In response, the mother said, “This is how it all came about. He wanted me to get food for the dog because I was gone for two weeks. “Because I didn’t come with the dog food and I didn’t have his messages, it made him angry.” Sergeant Moloney said that the man told his mother by text “your dog will suffer now”. In response, the mother said: “He says things like that all the time. He loves the dog.” The man had sent his mother a previous text stating “All I want is dog food.” In the case, the man is charged with the criminal damage to …

A JUDGE has admitted “I don’t know the price of a pint” after hearing that a publican illegally sold €85.80 worth of alcohol to patrons after hours in August of last year. Judge Mary Larkin made the comment at Killaloe District Court after hearing evidence that late night revellers inside Liam O’Riain’s pub in Ballina, Co Tipperary could be heard by a Garda at the front door ‘shushing’ inside the locked front door of the pub after the Garda knocked on the door before 20 to 30 were seen streaming out a side entrance. Sergeant Louis Moloney told the Killaloe Court sitting in Ennis that on August 28 last after entering the pub, Gardai carried out an examination of till sales between midnight and 12.44am and they found that €85.80 was spent on alcohol. In response, Judge Larkin said: “€85? I don’t know the price of a pint so you have to tell me about that later.” Sergeant Moloney said …