This article is from page 14 of the 2013-04-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
AN ENNIS man convicted of intimidating his brother-in-law has been sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Last October, Martin Joyce (22), with addresses at 113 Dun na hInse, Ennis and 2 St Patrick’s Mews, Clarecastle, was found guilty by a jury of the intimidation of his brother-in-law Michael Ward and Mr Ward’s wife, Rose Ward.
The offences were committed while Mr Joyce was on bail, Ennis Circuit Criminal Court heard on Friday.
He was acquitted of a charge of threatening to kill Mr Ward at Shannon Airport on May 3 2011.
The Wards had travelled to Clare from England to give evidence at an arson trial against the Mr Joyce’s brother David. David Joyce was acquitted of the charge.
Sentencing in Martin Joyce’s case had been delayed pending the finali- sation of another case in the Midlands.
On Friday, Counsel for the State, Stephen Coughlan BL, said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had decided that Mr Joyce’s case could proceed to sentencing.
Judge Gerard Keyes said the victims in the case had given sworn evidence that they felt “frightened and intimidated” of Martin Joyce and were afraid to come to court.
He said that in their victim impact statement, the Wards said they lived in a “twilight world” unable to attend family occasions such as weddings and funerals.
Judge Keyes said intimidation of witnesses is a “serious matter and goes to undermine the whole justice system.”
He said people who witness crime must feel safe to come forward “otherwise anarchy would prevail and we would end up with a lawless society.”
Judge Keyes commended the Wards for their “resilience and bravery” for enabling the trial to proceed.
The court heard that Mr Joyce has 32 previous convictions, the majority for road traffic offences.
Noting the length of time it has taken for sentencing to be finalized, Judge Keyes imposed a two-year sentence on both counts to run concurrently.
Judge Keyes suspended the final six months of the sentence on condition that Mr Joyce have no direct or indirect contact with Michael and Rose Ward.
He backdated the sentence to September 30 (2012) in acknowledgement of the length of time Mr Joyce had spent on remand.
Addressing Mr Joyce, Judge Keyes said there should not be any more difficulties between the families.
Mr Joyce replied;
“There won’t be Judge. Thanks very much.”
A DISTRICT
Court Judge has hit out at what he called the“abuse” of the courts system in Clare. Judge Patrick Durcan was speaking during at Ennis District Court Wednesday after being informed of a proposed change in legal representation for a Limerick man. Solicitor Tara Godfrey told the court that she had been asked by Limerick solicitor John Devanne to take over the case of Martin Casey (22). Mr Casey, with an address at Bay 6Toppings Field, John CarewPark, Limerick, is accused of handling stolen property – a green blade hedge trimmer and Efco Chainsaw- at Carrahill Crusheen on February 27 (2013). Mr Casey is also alleged to have handled a stolen Stihl chainsawat the same location and date. After being told of Mr Casey’s proposed change in legal representation, Judge Durcan said he was getting “very tired of abuse of the courts systemwhere people are coming on an off record.” He said if a solicitor ceases to represent someone, then“they should showrespect to the court, the registrar, the client, to showup and come off record.” Judge Durcan added,“This isn’t the London Underground where people can simply can come on and off.” Judge Patrick Durcan adjourned the case to May 1 when he said he would consider Mr Devannes application to come off record. Another Limerick man also appeared in court charged with the incident at Crusheen. Anthony Quinlivan (18), with an address at 12 ElmPlace, Rathbane, Roxboro Road, Limerick, is charged with handling a green blade hedge trimmer, Efco chainsawand Stihl chainsawat Crusheen on February 27. Mr Quinlivan is also charged with having an article which had a blade or which was sharply pointed at the same location and date. Mr Quinlivan was represented by solicitor Fiona Hehir. His case was adjourned until May 1.
THE cases
of two men charged with offences arising out of an alleged incident at Ennis Courthouse are to be heard next month. Anthony Doherty (27) and Dylan Dinan (20) were both before Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Mr Doherty, with an address at 30 Lenabeg, Lahinch Road, Ennis, is charged with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace at Ennis Courthouse on January 16 (2013). Mr Dinan, with an address at 6Waterpark Court, Drumbiggle, Ennis, is charged with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace at Ennis Courthouse on January 16 (2013). He also charged with assault at the same location and date. Mr Doherty is represented by solicitor John Casey. Mr Dinan is represented by solicitor Tara Godfrey. CCTV evidence is to be sought in the case, the court heard. The cases were adjourned for hearing until May 20.
A MAN
found in possession of a Stanley knife in a pub in Ennis has received a suspended sentence. At Ennis District Court onTuesday, Darren Maughan (21) pleaded guilty to possession of a knife at Knox’s Bar,Abbey Street, Ennis on February 2 (2013). Inspector TomKennedy told the court that gardaí were called to deal a public order incident at Knox’s involving Mr Maughan. Gardai searched Mr Maughan and found that he was carrying a knife for “no good reason.” Mr Maughan, with an address at 20 Stonecourt, Drumbiggle, Ennis also pleaded guilty to stealing seven bottles of wine fromNext-Door offlicense, Gort Road on April 16 (2013). Mr Maughan also pleaded guilty to a charge of assault at Ennis Courthouse. Defence solicitor WilliamCahir said his client is a young man who has “chronic problems with alcohol.” He said Mr Maughan had recently tackled his problems before but had recently “fallen off the wagon”. Judge Eamon O’Brien imposed a nine month suspended sentence in relation to the offences at Knox’s. All other matters were taken into consideration. Judge O’Brien said he would suspend the sentence on condition that Mr Maughan enter a bond to be of good behaviour. He told Mr Maughan he should join Alcoholic’s Anonymous (AA).