Judge John Neilan has said he has had enough of people treating their bail papers like confetti.
Neither will he continue to tolerate Gardaí having to run around the country to locate those for whom bench warrants are issued when they miss a court appearance.
In a stinging attack on those who fail to turn up at court for no apparent reason after being granted bail by the court, he said that in future he would demand a cash surety from defendants.
True to his word he insisted that the next person who appeared before him lodge €200 before being granted bail on public order charges. This was despite protests from solicitor Robert Marren that his client would not be able to come up with the money.
“Then he goes to jail,” responded the judge who remanded the young man in custody. He was already scheduled to appear before the court again next day (Friday ).
His frustration arose out of a situation where he said he issued up to 20 bench warrants in Longford one day this week.
He said he would refuse to accommodate individuals except in “extraordinary, exceptional, extenuating, circumstances” and repeated that he would not have the Gardaí running around in circles.
Before lunch, bench warrants were issued for a number of people including 32-year-old Michael Charles of 10 Chestnut Drive, Mullingar who faces a number of public order charges. The court heard that Mr Charles made a number of colourful replies to gardaí when charged with the offences, including “You can sing and dance all you want,” “sing when you’re winning” and “lovely”.
