This article is from page 14 of the 2008-10-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
A SHANNON man has applied to a court not to have his family’s court cases reported in the media – howev- er he was told the court does not have the power to make such a ruling. The application was made _ by Michael James McDonagh (34), of Ballymurtagh Halting Site, Shannon,
at Ennis District Court on Friday.
Mr McDonagh’s wife Kathleen (33), of Cronan Lawn, Shannon, was in court the previous week on public order charges and this was reported in the media.
In court on Friday, his solicitor Tara Godfrey said Michael James wanted to make an application to the court on behalf of himself, his wife and his
IeNOOvENe
‘He is taking exception to the fact that the papers reported on him. He wants to make an application to you on that,’ she said.
“He doesn’t want his cases to be reported on in the press,” said Ms CrerelsKay
However, Judge Joseph Mangan said the only case he was interested
in was the case before the court, where Kathleen McDonagh was ac- cused of breach of the peace at Bal- laghboy halting site, Quin Road, En- nis, on October 8 last.
“I have no power to make that or- der,’ he said.
The judge then asked Ms Godfrey, “How did your client find out there was something he didn’t like in the
paper if he can’t read?”
The solicitor replied, “It must be from looking at the pictures.”
Earlier, Mr McDonagh was ordered to stop reading a newspaper in the courtroom.
“When told by the judge he was not allowed to read the newspaper, he replied, “I’m just looking at the pictures.”