Judge warns fisherman from Limerick: ‘Don't set foot on West Cork land'

A 28-YEAR-old fisherman from Limerick has been told by a District Court Judge that he is not to ‘set foot’ in West Cork, even if his boat is docked in a port. 

Judge James McNulty added this condition as part of a three-month suspended sentence imposed on Darren O’Loughlin of 30 Cliona Park, Moyross, Co Limerick, who pleaded guilty to two different incidents at a recent sitting of Kinsale District Court.

Insp Pat Meany told the court that on April 29th last the defendant was removed from the Armada Bar in Kinsale for being drunk in a public place and was subsequently arrested. 

The court was told the defendant has 12 previous convictions for a range of offences, including theft and criminal damage. Solicitor Diarmuid O’Shea said his client is a father of four and he had a lot of drink taken on the night. 

Judge McNulty convicted and fined the defendant €200 for the offence with 60 days to pay, which the defendant’s father paid in court.

Following that case, the defendant was up in court again to face charges relating to an incident in Kellybegs, Co Donegal, on April 12th. 

Gda John Malone from Killybegs Garda Station travelled to Bandon to arrest him on the charge. Gda Malone told the court that on the night in question the defendant was drinking in The Cope pub in the town. 

Following closing time, a cleaner, who had presumed the bar was empty, heard noises from a storeroom and saw the defendant, who then ran upstairs and escaped through an emergency exit. 

Gda Malone added that there were two crates of alcohol worth €50 placed towards the door but the defendant did not manage to take any.

Solicitor Diarmuid O’Shea pointed out that there was no loss to the owner of the bar and that by pleading guilty his client had made the case a lot easier.

‘He was rumbled and made his escape,’ said Mr O’Shea.

Judge McNulty said this incident was a more serious matter and sentenced him to three months in prison, suspended for two years on the usual conditions of keeping the peace, being of good behaviour, committing no offence and he also added a special condition.

‘You are not to set foot on West Cork land while this sentence is in place and if you’re out fishing you must stay on the boat in the port,’ said Judge McNulty.

Mr O’Loughlin said he accepted the conditions of his suspended sentence.