Dublin crime figure Martin Foley told Dublin District Court yesterday that the reason he did not attend compulsory meetings with the probation services was because he intended to appeal the conviction against him and he did not want to bother them.
Last year Foley, from Cashel Avenue in Crumlin, was convicted of breach of the peace at a pub in Churchtown, Dublin, in December 2003.
He opted to carry out 100 hours of community service in lieu of two months in prison. Subsequently, at a hearing in Tallaght District Court before Judge Ann Watkin, a probation officer's report indicated that he had failed to attend some meetings. Judge Watkin forwarded the case to yesterday's sitting of Dublin District Court.
During yesterday's hearing, Judge Gerard Haughton heard from Foley's solicitor that he had sent a letter to gardaí in November saying that he intended to appeal the conviction and that the reason he didn't show up for meetings was that he didn't want to bother the probation services.
Judge Haughton sentenced Foley to two months in prison. However, he acknowledged Foley intended to appeal the case to the Circuit Court and agreed to release him on personal bail of €300 and an independent surety of €300.