A judge underlined the inherent hypocrisy of a Portadown man’s defence when his solicitor blamed his client’s predicament on “[falling] in with non-nationals”.
“Mr Gallagher, there are many of your client’s fellow citizens who would regard themselves as non-nationals down here,” noted Judge Patrick Clyne to Mr Gerry Gallagher. He was defending Neil McFadden (18 ), from the County Armagh town, who pleaded guilty this week (October 20 ) to passing forged money in an Athlone hotel.
Inspector Nicholas Farrell had earlier outlined the circumstances that had led to McFadden’s presence in court.
“On October 3 at 1.50am the defendant tendered false €50 notes at the public bar in the Prince of Wales hotel,” he stated.
Mr Gallagher explained how his client had travelled to the Midlands for the Ballinasloe horse fair, was staying in a local B&B with friends, but was drinking in the hotel when “he fell on with non-nationals from whom he purchased one €50 note for €10”.
“Mr Gallagher, there are many of your client’s fellow citizens in Portadown who would regard themselves as non-nationals down here,” said the judge.
“Oh, I wouldn’t comment on that,” said Gerry Gallagher.
Inspector Farrell then pointed out that he believed the defendant “passed more than one €50 note”.
“He was very lucky to have a family friend with him,” said Mr Gallagher, who explained how €500 of compensation had been paid by this person on McFadden’s behalf to the hotel, and a €500 bail also lodged at Athlone Garda Station to allow McFadden return home on the day after the offence.
“He wasn’t in Ballinasloe to buy bloodstock, but to buy tack,” said Mr Gallagher, as a way of explaining the scope of his client’s enterprise
“Was he buying lorinery?” siad the judge, mischieviously using a semi-archaic term for the specific side-industry of farriery dealing with the manufacture of the mouth metals in the trade.
When Mr Gallagher conceded, like most of the rest of the court, he wasn’t aware what this was, Judge Clyne relented and struck out the charge.
“Mr Gallagher, I’ve been frying you enough,” said Judge Clyne, who then ordered the bail lodged at the station be returned to the defendant before he left town.
