A MAN charged with trespassing on farmland while out hunting fell ill during his hearing at Macroom District Court last week.

DJ O’Driscoll, of Lower Codrum, Macroom, collapsed in the courtroom and was then helped by a garda who administered first aid while an employee of the Probation Services called the ambulance.

Minutes before the medical emergency, the 28-year-old accused faced charges of not controlling a dog and trespassing on land with the intention of hunting.

The court heard that on July 23rd, 2024 Mr O’Driscoll was out with friends on farmland close to Macroom when gardaí stopped him.
Defence solicitor Patrick Goold said: ‘That day, he was on the land of a farmer where he had permission to be when his lurcher strayed on to another farmer’s land. That farmer made a complaint to the gardaí.’
The court also heard that Mr O’Driscoll, who lives with his mother, had 64 previous convictions, including convictions for public order offences, theft and fraud. At the time of the hunting incident, he was on two suspended sentences.

Mr Goold said his client had drug and alcohol addiction issues but had been off alcohol for some time.

Earlier that day,his mother, Yvonne O’Driscoll, was called to the witness stand at Macroom District Court and withdrew a charge relating to her son taking her car without permission, which she had reported to gardí on a previous occasion. At the time, the court heard, he had no driving licence. Judge Joanne Carroll struck out the charge.

‘This is extremely serious. He is not controlling his dog and is wandering into land where he has no permission to be, with other people,’ said the judge in relation to the trespassing charge.

As Judge Carroll asked for a probation report to be compiled, Mr O’Driscoll’s breathing became very heavy and the defendant collapsed to the floor before the ambulance crew arrived.
Judge Carroll adjourned the case until November 5th at Macroom District Court for the probation report to be considered. Legal aid was granted on the charge of not controlling a dog.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.