Kildare court facilitates a curious reunion for solicitor
The case was heard at Naas District Court
The judge acknowledged “a little bit of history being made in court today” as veteran advocate Tim Kennelly let it be known that his next client was the very first he represented in his professional career 20-odd years ago.
Juris Aglonietis (63), with an address in Powerscourt, Eyre Street, Newbridge was in Naas District Court to plead guilty to public intoxication on the Main Street of Newbridge on 4 March last.
Before he began his pleas, Mr Kennelly let the court know of the historical significance, prompting Sergeant Dave Hanrahan to say: “You never forget your first!”
A native of Latvia, Mr Aglonietis was able to communicate with Mr Kennelly through a Russian translator, and when Judge Desmond Zaidan commented on how poorly he looked, Mr Kennelly informed the court his client had had a stroke in the last 12 months.
“Is he getting any therapy for that limp?” asked the judge.
“He loses his balance sometimes,” said the translator.
The sergeant outlined that “on 4 March at around 10pm on the Main Street he was intoxicated, terribly abusive and uncooperative”.
“He probably spent a few hours in the cells?” asked the judge, to which the sergeant said: “Yes.”
“He needs meds for his heart but can afford plenty of alcohol,” noted the judge.
The translator explained that the defendant had been drinking at home that evening and was not in the pub.
“His marriage is no longer intact, but his relationship with his kids is quite good,” said Mr Kennelly. “He quite likes a drink, and the combination with his meds had an unfortunate effect,” said Mr Kennelly, before adding: “but it’s quite some time since I’ve seen him.”
“His last conviction was 2012,” confirmed the sergeant.
“He doesn’t look the best and I’m sorry I have to say that,” noted the judge.
He wondered how the defendant managed to get treated for the stroke.
“He called the ambulance himself,” explained Mr Kennelly.
This was enough for the judge, who decided further punishment was pointless as he gave the defendant the benefit of the Probation Act despite his six previous convictions.
