Outburst in court after 25-year-old jailed

A 25-year-old man swore at a judge this week after being jailed for failing to pay fines.

David McCloskey of Clooney Terrace, who admitted stealing a pedicure set, hand sanitiser and lip balm from a chemist on January 27.

The value of the goods, stolen from the Lloyds Pharmacy in Ebrington Terrace, was £22.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sentencing in the case had been deferred to allow McCloskey to pay outstanding fines.

However, McCloskey turned up to court with no money and had not paid anything off the fines.

District Judge Barney McElholm said: ‘It’s been seven months and he hasn’t paid one penny, this is totally unacceptable.’

He added ‘He has a bad record for theft. To say he couldn’t pay anything in seven months is essentially telling the court he has no remorse and no intention of compensating anyone for his crimes.’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The judge jailed McCloskey for seven months, at which point the 25-year-old began shouting and swearing.

He also called the judge a number of unpleasant names.

Judge McElholm told defence solicitor Seamus Quigley he would give McCloskey a chance to apologise to him.

However, McCloskey replied, telling the judge ‘I apologised already, Barney, what more do you want me to do? I’m not blaming you, Barney.’

At this stage Judge McElholm reprimanded the 25-year-old for addressing him by his first name.

He told the defendant ‘You and I don’t know each other, don’t be calling me by my first name. Take him down, please’.