Today's other courts news in brief
Clare man died from head injuries from fall
A jury has found that a Co Clare man died from head injuries from a fall sustained during the course of an assault.
At an inquest in Ennis, the jury returned the narrative verdict after hearing evidence in relation to the death of father of five, Vincent Hehir (32), who died after being the victim of an assault on September 3rd, 2006 in the village of Kildysart.
Three Co Clare men, Michael Finn (34), Ennis Road, Kildysart, Noel Murphy (24), Crovraghan, Kildysart, and Mark O’Connor (19), Rosscliffe, Ballynacally, were cleared of Mr Hehir’s manslaughter at Ennis Circuit Court in 2007.
At the inquest, Assistant State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis said that bruising on Mr Hehir’s mouth and an injury to the back of his head were consistent with a blow to his mouth and Mr Hehir falling backwards on the ground.
In her deposition, Patricia McMahon said she saw Brian Finn kicking Mr Hehir while he was on the ground, but she did not see who hit Mr Hehir before he was on the ground.
Judge notes drama of drink-fuelled visit
A judge said yesterday that events leading to a man from Connemara facing charges before Galway Circuit Criminal Court were the stuff of a John B Keane drama.
Gerard Ridge (48), Ard Mór, Cill Ciarán, Carna, was found guilty last March of damaging his former wife’s car but not guilty of breaking a man’s cheekbone after he and the woman’s daughter called to Ridge’s home in the night in a very drunken state.
At sentencing yesterday, Judge Raymond Groarke said: “This is a rather classic story where one regrets the passing of the late John B Keane.
“If people went while fuelled by alcohol to visit this house to cause a breach of the peace at 5 in the morning, it would be difficult to disagree with the view of a jury that the man was entitled to protect himself.”
Judge Groarke fined Ridge €500 for the car damage.
Tyrone suspect not allowed to vote
A Co Tyrone man being questioned about a suspected Real IRA punishment attack has failed in an emergency legal bid to be allowed to cast his vote.
The suspect, who is being held at Antrim serious crime suite under anti-terrorism laws, wanted police to take him to his polling station in Strabane and then back to the custody centre.
His application for leave to seek a judicial review was dismissed following an urgent hearing at the High Court in Belfast.
Mr Justice Treacy held that his inability to vote “will not thwart the free expression of the people” in the general election.With no option open for the man to vote by proxy, his detention period was said to expire 22 minutes after the polls close.
Collapse of sex trial over jury issue
The Central Criminal Court trial of a Roscommon man accused of sexually abusing a teenage girl 20 years ago has collapsed due to an issue with the jury.
The 61-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had pleaded not guilty to eight counts of indecent assault against a female between January 1978 and March 1981.
Mr Justice Barry White told the jury of four women and eight men he had no option in the circumstances but to discharge them.
He listed the case for mention later this month when a new trial date may be set.