A burglar caught red-handed in a bedroom was given a week in custody for contempt of court after he started shouting obsceneties a the judge.
“F*** ye. Remand me for contempt. Good for nothin’ ba***rds round here,” shouted James Ring (20 ), of Thornbury Drive, Willow Park, Athlone, as a number of gardaí restrained him.
Inspector Nicholas Farrell explained to Judge Seamus Hughes how Ring had been disturbed in the bedroom of an apartment the day before (February 18 ) by three men who returned unexpectedly, who then gave chase, and apprehended him.
Mr Owen Carty, standing in for Ring’s solicitor, Mr Gearóid Geraghty, told the court that his instructions as just received were to apply for bail; however Inspector Farrell told the court that Gardaí would vigorously oppose this.
At this stage it was noted that for the appearance of Ring - and one other, unrelated defendant - the garda presence in court had quadrupled from three to 12.
The inspector explained how Ring had been sentenced to six months in prison last year by the judge which he then later appealed, and was bailed pending this.
However, he was then alleged to have re-offended during this period, had his bail revoked, but which he again appealed - this time for High Court bail - which he was granted.
Inspector Farrell explained that, because of this, it was the Gardaí’s intention to return Ring to the High Court to get this revoked.
When Judge Hughes seemed to agree that this might be the most appropriate approach, Ring began to get more agitated with his attitude and escorts.
When the judge threatened him with contempt if he didn’t calm down, Ring’s subsequent outburst saw him gain a week’s free detention.
The judge remanded Ring in custody to appear again at Athlone District Court at 12.50pm on February 26 “for a Section 2 bail hearing”.
This is where the State, through the Gardaí, is able to outline its objections to bail by pointing out patterns within, and the history of a defendant prior to his conviction on the charge before the court.
These objections may not be reported prior to any conviction.
