Defendant ‘broke wind’ in courtroom
Portlaoise Courthouse
A MAN who “cocked his backside and blew wind that everyone could hear” while his case was being heard was remanded in custody when he appeared at Portlaoise District Court last week.
The unusual incident began in Tullamore District Court on Wednesday 22 January.
Declan Holt, 29 Castle View Park, Edenderry, Co Offaly had been before the court for non-payment of €300 in compensation for damage he caused to a car.
He had initially pleaded guilty to failing to stop following an accident, failing to remain at the scene of an accident, failing to report an accident, driving without a driving licence or insurance, failing to display an insurance disc and failing to display a tax disc at Church Street, Tullamore on 21 June 2023.
That court heard that €500 worth of damage was caused to the car he collided with, and that just €200 of the €500 compensation, as directed by the court, had been paid to the injured party.
Mr Holt had been remanded in custody over night from Tullamore Court because he was unable to produce the €300 and was brought to Portlaoise District Court on Thursday.
When the case resumed, a barrister for Mr Holt said he was hoping that one of his nephew’s would be able to bring the €300 to court later in the day. However, the nephew was unable to raise the money.
Judge Andrew Cody said: “This is the man who cocked his backside and blew wind that everyone could hear in court yesterday. All he could do was snigger. It was offensive, rude and obnoxious.”
Mr Holt said he wanted to apologise for his behaviour.
The defendant's barrister said that his client “is a man of few words”.
“He's a man of few words and of few money,” said Judge Cody, “and he's sniggering again.”
The judge went on to remand Mr Holt in custody until 30 January, when he will be sentenced.
