A roundup of today's other news from the courts in brief:
File for DPP on man's death in Garda custody
The Garda Ombudsman Commission will send a file to the DPP in relation to the death of a man who was found collapsed in a cell in a Dublin Garda station, an inquest heard yesterday, writes Georgina O’Halloran.
Mark Anthony Reidy (32), Keeper Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, was found unresponsive at Terenure Garda station on December 30th, 2007. He was brought to St James’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
A postmortem found that Mr Reidy died of methadone and alcohol intoxication, the inquest heard when it opened in September last year. He also had pre-existing coronary artery disease.
Carmel Foley of the commission told a “for mention” hearing of the inquest into Mr Reidy’s death at Dublin City Coroner’s Court yesterday that investigations into the death were ongoing.
She said there was a matter outstanding which they hope to have completed shortly and that a file would be sent to the DPP. Coroner Dr Brian Farrell adjourned the inquest until June.
Suspended term for pornography
A physics student who downloaded child pornography has received a two-year suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Aidan Bolton (27), Carrsmill, Portrane, Co Dublin, was caught after German police investigating a child pornography website uncovered information on thousands of worldwide users. Bolton pleaded guilty to possession of the material on February 6th, 2007.
Ursula Finlay, defending, told Judge Tony Hunt that Bolton was bullied at school and suffered from depression.
Girl’s parents could face arrest
The parents of a 14-year- old Dublin girl arrested at the weekend for shoplifting are facing arrest after they refused to attend her court case.
The young girl was brought before the Children’s Court yesterday morning following her arrest for theft of €23 worth of groceries from the Tesco supermarket at Crumlin Shopping Centre.
Judge Ann Ryan was told that after the arrest, the girl’s family had been contacted but they had refused to come to the Garda station.
Judge Ryan said she was issuing a bench warrant for the arrest of the parents. However, she agreed to put a stay on it for one day meaning they had until today to come to the court, otherwise they face arrest.
Woman guilty of careless driving
A Kerry woman was last night found not guilty of dangerous driving causing the death of her friend, but guilty of careless driving, at Tralee Circuit Criminal Court.
Elaine Houlihan (24), Iveragh Park, Killorglin, had pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing death, at Pallas, Beaufort, of Therese Foley (23) on April 18th, 2006. She had admitted driving with excess alcohol. The incident occurred after a night out in Killarney.
Judge Carroll Moran adjourned the case for sentencing until Thursday.