A DISPUTE over some items bought at an auction has ended in an antiques dealer being sent to prison for contempt of court.
Judge Cyril Kelly described Teresa Grogan, of Oaklands Park, Swords, Co Dublin, as "a malign woman" who had abused the courts system for her own purposes. When he refused to change an earlier order committing her to prison he said: "She goes to jail."
Judge Kelly had earlier been told that costs of her legal team were being met by the Legal Aid Board despite the fact that she owned two houses and drives a Jaguar XJ6.
"It is an abuse of the legal aid system that such a person should be in receipt of legal aid," Judge Kelly said. "It is something the Legal Aid Board should look into."
Mr Esmond Reilly, solicitor for a Malahide auctioneer, Mr Denis Drum, said Grogan had initially sued his client to restrain him from reselling property she had bought at auction and over which there was a dispute about payment.
During the earlier court proceedings a settlement had been reached whereby she had agreed to pay Mr Drum Just over £3,000. Later, her cheque was returned marked "Payment Countermanded".
Judge Kelly had committed her to prison on September 25th for contempt of court. This order had been stayed that afternoon by the President of the Circuit Court, Mr Justice Spain, on condition she pay Mr Drum with a banker's draft. This had not been done.
Mr Reilly told Judge Kelly that after the September 25th proceedings Grogan had threatened Mr Drum in a corridor and had said: "You will pay for this, Drum." Judge Kelly said he took a very serious view of such a threat.
When he told her counsel he would not vacate or vary his original order, Grogan immediately left the courtroom.