Former Westlife singer Brian McFadden yesterday described a case of careless driving against him as "a joke".
The 24-year-old singer was speaking outside a packed Balbriggan Court after the case was adjourned for the second time.
"It's a joke. That's the second time I've turned up and they haven't turned up and he's adjourned it again. If these people actually want to do something, then do it." Asked if the court understood his busy schedule, he said: "No, they don't."
The Dublin singer had been served with three summonses alleging speeding, careless driving and driving without reasonable consideration at Rowan's Big, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, on September 23rd, 2002.
The case was adjourned yesterday because a Garda witness had injured his hand and could not attend. When Judge Bryan Smyth tried to set another date, the singer's barrister, Mr Kieran Kelly, said McFadden was going on a six-month tour at the weekend and would not be available.
"I can't do it, not in the next six months," McFadden told the judge as he stood with his arms folded.
Mr Kelly asked the judge to strike out the case, given that the alleged offences had happened more than two years ago.
The case was earlier adjourned in March because a witness was not available.
Judge Smyth pointed out that the case could not be heard until now because the singer had claimed he was going on a six- month tour immediately after the March court sitting.
Brian McFadden had contributed to the first delay and was now contributing to a further delay, Judge Smyth said. He asked to see a schedule of the forthcoming tour, but did not receive one.
Mr Kelly said the singer had flown over from the UK specifically for the case and had already incurred expenses that would be greater than any fine if the case was allowed to proceed.
Judge Smyth refused to strike out the case and offered the date of January 27th, 2005. He was told that McFadden would be in south-east Asia at that time.
He was also travelling to America and Europe. "People tend to come back from these tours and they take a break an odd time," Judge Smyth said. He adjourned the case to Balbriggan Court on April 14th, 2005.
A large crowd cheered the singer and called his name when he left the court. He didn't stop to talk to fans, but instead jumped into a waiting black Mercedes and left.
On his last court appearance, McFadden was a member of Westlife and was accompanied by his then wife, singer and television presenter Kerry Katona.
Shortly after that he left the band and embarked on a solo career. More recently, the high-profile couple separated.
