Defendant wants bail so he can get Disneyland
'I note your colourful language hasn’t changed,' commented the judge
“THIS is the man that Roddy Doyle would be proud of!” was the way a judge introduced a defendant to the court after the registrar called his name from the list.
This is how Shane Mulligan (34) of Ballinakill, Enfield, Co Kildare was made known to Naas District Court last week when it became his turn to join the videolink queue from custody ‘for direction’ (to learn how the director of public prosecutions had ruled on how to prosecute him).
Mr Mulligan had been charged with criminal damage after it was alleged he broke a window at an apartment in Ledway Park in Kilcock on 5 January, before entering, and vandalising the location, and has been remanded in custody since.
Remarkably, Sergeant Mary Meade was able to tell the court: “I believe the file is complete, but I haven’t got directions [on where to prosecute] yet”.
The sergeant explained how her colleagues had received an emergency call from a named individual on the day in question reporting how Mr Mulligan had allegedly turned up drunk at her address “shouting and roaring”.
“All the doors and windows were locked, but he gained entry by breaking a window, and trashing the place,” Sgt Meade alleged.
“Those are very serious charges,” accepted the defendant, “but [named individual] will come to court to say that this didn’t happen, that I didn’t break the f**kin’ window or trash the place.”
“I think I know who is in charge,” said the judge, before adding: “And I note your colourful language hasn’t changed.”
Mr Mulligan’s solicitor David Powderley told the court that his client was anxious for bail, as he and his partner had booked a family holiday to Disneyland at the end of the month, and that Mr Mulligan was anxious to learn his trial date before jetting off.
“I was on the phone with me son last night and he was cryin’ his f**kin’ eyes out in case his daddy couldn’t come,” said the defendant on screen.
Acknowledging all this, the judge remanded Mr Mulligan back into court for a week, to reappear on 15 January, and asked the sergeant to let the DPP know of the circumstances.
