'Lunatic' driver parks cars at Kildare hotel, court hears
The part-time valet attendant appeared at Portlaoise District Court
CUSTOMERS of a five-star hotel need to know what kind of ‘lunatic’ is parking their cars.
The comment was made at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court by Judge Andrew Cody, when a part-time valet attendant at the hotel was summoned before it for speeding.
Ibrahima Bah-Jalloh pleaded guilty to driving at a speed of 161kph in a 120kph zone on the M8 at The Great Heath, Portlaoise on 7 November last.
Defending barrister Anne Doyle said that she had never seen a client “so fearful of coming to court”.
She said Mr Bah-Jalloh had just purchased an Audi car and was excited driving it on the day.
She said the 20-year-old works in the hospitality sector and parks cars for its customers.
At the hearing on 4 September, Judge Cody asked: “What hotel is he working in?” Ms Doyle said her client had asked her not to divulge the hotel’s name, as he feared doing so could affect his employment there.
Not accepting that, Judge Cody again asked for the name of the hotel to which the barrister replied: “Carton House.”
“People using Carton House,” said Judge Cody, “need to know what kind of lunatic is parking their cars.”
Ms Doyle said: “He was 19 at the time. It was pure stupidity. He has never been in court before and can assure you he will never be in court again. I believe he has learned a very valuable lesson. If he loses his driving licence his position will be in doubt.”
Addressing the court Mr Bah-Jalloh said: “I sold the car, because the engine was too big and got a smaller car.”
Ms Doyle said that her client was willing to donate €500 to the court poor box in return for the court considering not imposing a prosecution.
Rejecting that offer, Judge Cody said: “I’ll give him one month to come up with €1,000, if he wants to avoid a prosecution.”
The judge adjourned the case for finalisation to 16 October and said that, should Mr Bah-Jalloh have the €1,000 on that date, it should be donated to the Monasterevin Boy Scouts who are currently modernising their unit.
