Kildare man avoids jail after mother's testimony

A MAN facing 27 charges, three charge sheet and 24 summonses, for a raft of charges, including drug offences, assault, and obstruction of a garda, avoided a jail sentence last week (7 May) after the judge took into consideration the heartfelt testimony of the defendant’s mother.

Nonetheless, David Latimer (38), with a present address in Grand Canal Walk, Allenwood, but previously with addresses in Kilcullen and Allenwood did not emerge without punishment, and will have to pay fines totalling €1,250 within three months if he is to successfully avoid the ultimate sanction.

Judge Desmond Zaidan, sitting in Naas District Court, initially balked at the sheaf of documents handed to him when Latimer’s case was called, and half-joked with the defendant.

“It’s going to take all day to deal with this! How many rooms in Mountjoy do you want?” he smiled.

Sergeant Dave Hanrahan outlined the offences.

“On 2 May 2020 at Dunmurry, Kildare town gardaí obtained €200 worth of heroin on his person following a search,” he began.

“He was highly aggressive and abusive to her (arresting officer),” he added, before going into the list of summons by precis and their minute book number.

“No. 146. No insurance or licence on 15 July, 2021.

“151-3. No licence. No insurance. Section 3 (simple possession) cannabis.

“191-2. No licence, no insurance, €10 cannabis.

“198. €20 cocaine.

“September 2022 abusive to (named garda).

“227. Section 6 abusive to two guards, €10 cannabis, €20 cannabis, €10 cannabis – all different dates.

“232. Assaulted a shopkeeper. No injuries, just a push. That concludes the matters,” said the sergeant.

“They run from 2017, most of them in 2020, up to 2023,” he confirmed.

“He has 22 previous convictions, and five post, and three previous for no insurance,” he added.

“For the last three years he hasn’t come to garda notice,” said solicitor Seamus Boyle.

“Well, he was disqualified in Bray District Court in April for eight years,” corrected the sergeant.

“It just goes to show what happens when you get addicted to drugs, they have been a major issue in his life, but this is no excuse to behave the way he has behaved,” said Mr Boyle.

“When he was 20 he was injured (in a shooting) in a park in Dublin.

“These were very serious injuries, with (shotgun) pellets still in his body.

“His mother is in court, and she will tell you what he was like then,” said Mr Boyle, which prompted Judge Zaidan to invite her up to the witness box.

“I took the incredibly difficult decision to cut ties with my son back then, but over the last five years he has really improved, and we’ve re-connected.

“I’m delighted to have my son back, and he has regained my trust,” she testified.

“It is clear to me how much he needs his family,” said Mr Boyle, who inadvertently brought the biggest laugh of the afternoon when he revealed his client was a chef.

Previously there had been a shoplifting case in which three legs of lamb had been stolen.

So, finding out he’s a chef, the judge asks Latimer what’s his favourite dish to cook, and when he says “lamb” the court erupted.

When the collective mirth finally died down, it was revealed that Mr Latimer was working with a major local employer.

“I’ve read the letter Mr Boyle has handed up from his employer, but do you think he deserves a chance?” asked the judge.

“He absolutely does. Five years ago I would’ve said lock him up,” she said.

“Did you teach him how to cook the leg of lamb?” asked the judge.

“Oh, God, no! I can’t stand it. He learnt that himself,” said the mother.

The judge asked about the Dublin incident when he was 22 and was told that Mr Latimer was shot by a 13-year-old with a shotgun, and is still receiving medical attention over it.

“Wrong place at the wrong time … but he has turned his life around.” Sgt Hanrahan confirmed Latimer’s last conviction was in 2026, but for an offence in 2020.

The judge then fined Latimer €500 for the obstruction of Garda Foran on 2 May,2020, gave him three, concurrent six-year bans for the no insurance offences, another €400 for the Section 15 (possession with intent to supply), €200 for the Section 2 assault, and a final €150 for a threatening and abusive behaviour offence.