Latest news with #Section3
Sunday World
2 hours ago
- Sunday World
Man (23) caught with cocaine in his underwear ‘suffered racist bullying in school'
The defendant, who has one previous conviction for possession of drugs, was a front seat passenger in a car followed and stopped by Gardaí. A 23-year-old food delivery driver who had cocaine in his underwear has been remanded on continuing bail for a probation report. Nahid Duffy, Dowdalls Crescent, Newry Road, Dundalk, was before the circuit court for sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of 26.9g of cocaine for sale or supply. Further charges of possession of cocaine and possession of 'magic mushrooms' are being taken into consideration. The defendant, who has one previous conviction for possession of drugs, was a front seat passenger in a car followed and stopped by Gardaí. It was stated that he got involved in drug dealing to feed his own cocaine habit. Gda Daniel O'Connor testified that at 12.25am on April 5, 2021, he was observer in an unmarked car when he spotted a Ford Focus driving erratically after it exited Mourne View on the Dublin Road. This car was stopped at McSwiney Street. It contained the driver, Mr Duffy and a third person in the back. Gda O'Connor said he spoke to the defendant who appeared nervous. The car and its occupants were searched. Mr Duffy took responsibility for a bag of 'magic mushrooms' and for €825 cash which was in the centre console. Following his arrest and during a search at the garda station, cocaine was found down the accused's trousers in his underwear. Stock image News in 90 Seconds - June 21st The drugs were valued €1,883, and the 'magic mushrooms' €110. He told investigators that he used the mushrooms for anxiety. He also admitted using cannabis and CBD. He said the cash was his and admitted having the drugs for sale to fund a cocaine addiction. There was one previous conviction for Section 3 possession of drugs for which a €150 fine was imposed in the district court. For this case the DPP had directed summary disposal on a guilty plea only and the district court accepted jurisdiction. Mr Duffy initially pleaded 'not guilty'. A booklet of mitigation was handed into court on behalf of the defendant. Barrister Stephen Faulkner, instructed by solicitor Ciarán Mulholland, said that Nahid Duffy was of Bangladeshi/Irish descent and had suffered racist bullying in school. He had no trappings of wealth. The money was to feed his addiction. Judge Dara Hayes said that given Mr Duffy's age he would adjourn sentencing to November 11 for a probation report. The judge said it was a serious offence committed while on bail. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Irish Independent
9 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Louth delivery driver was on bail when cocaine found in his underwear
Nahid Duffy, Dowdalls Crescent, Newry Road, Dundalk, was before the circuit court for sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of 26.9g of cocaine for sale or supply. Further charges of possession of cocaine and possession of 'magic mushrooms' are being taken into consideration. The defendant, who has one previous conviction for possession of drugs, was a front seat passenger in a car followed and stopped by Gardaí. It was stated that he got involved in drug dealing to feed his own cocaine habit. Gda Daniel O'Connor testified that at 12.25am on April 5, 2021, he was observer in an unmarked car when he spotted a Ford Focus driving erratically after it exited Mourne View on the Dublin Road. This car was stopped at McSwiney Street. It contained the driver, Mr Duffy and a third person in the back. Gda O'Connor said he spoke to the defendant who appeared nervous. The car and its occupants were searched. Mr Duffy took responsibility for a bag of 'magic mushrooms' and for €825 cash which was in the centre console. Following his arrest and during a search at the garda station, cocaine was found down the accused's trousers in his underwear. The drugs were valued €1,883, and the 'magic mushrooms' €110. ADVERTISEMENT He told investigators that he used the mushrooms for anxiety. He also admitted using cannabis and CBD. He said the cash was his and admitted having the drugs for sale to fund a cocaine addiction. There was one previous conviction for Section 3 possession of drugs for which a €150 fine was imposed in the district court. For this case the DPP had directed summary disposal on a guilty plea only and the district court accepted jurisdiction. Mr Duffy initially pleaded 'not guilty'. A booklet of mitigation was handed into court on behalf of the defendant. Barrister Stephen Faulkner, instructed by solicitor Ciarán Mulholland, said that Nahid Duffy was of Bangladeshi/Irish descent and had suffered racist bullying in school. He had no trappings of wealth. The money was to feed his addiction. Judge Dara Hayes said that given Mr Duffy's age he would adjourn sentencing to November 11 for a probation report. The judge said it was a serious offence committed while on bail. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Irish Independent
09-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Louth woman had role in ‘vicious assault' which occurred after break-in
Lisa Smith (34), with an address at the time of Doolargy Avenue, Muirhevnamór, Dundalk, pleaded guilty to assaulting another female causing her harm. A burglary charge was taken into consideration. Dundalk Circuit Court heard that the defendant and a male co-accused entered the house at a different address in Doolargy Avenue on March 5, 2022. The man had previously been in a relationship with the 32-year-old victim. Gda Stephen Kilgannon said that Gardaí were alerted at 8.30am and when they arrived the woman was being treated by ambulance personnel. She was bleeding at the back of her head and was confused and distressed. She identified Ms Smith as one of her attackers. CCTV footage obtained by investigators showed the defendant entering the house. The victim had clumps of her hair pulled out, bruising to her neck, shoulders and around her eyes. Photos of the injuries were in the book of evidence. The woman did not make a Victim Impact Statement. Ms Smith co-operated with Gardaí. She admitted going into the house and pulling the woman's hair out. She had no excuse other than assisting her friend. Gda Kilgannon said that the she had no previous convictions nor had there been any trouble since. She was generally quite pleasant to deal with and 'appears somewhat of a good mother'. She had abided by onerous bail conditions. Counsel for Ms Smith said that this was at the higher end of Section 3 assault. The defendant accepted responsibility from the beginning. She wanted to apologise. ADVERTISEMENT A volunteer with a homeless charity, she was under the influence of the co-accused. It was a joint enterprise of an 'horrific assault'. Judge Dara Hayes said that the victim had been attacked in her own home and sustained serious injuries. The other person appeared to have greater culpability. There was a plea of guilty which would have been of greater value had it come earlier. The defendant took a role in a vicious assault and unprovoked attack. It may not have been the dominant role. The Garda evidence was that she got caught up in this at the behest of the co-accused and was the lesser party. Judge Hayes continued that the victim had resumed her relationship with this man. Ms Smith was remorseful and had taken neither drink nor drugs since. A two-year five-month sentence was imposed, suspended in its entirety for that period. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Sunday World
29-05-2025
- Sunday World
Farmer who left man with broken eye-socket in pub attack avoids jail
Farmer Parke has avoided going to jail after he paid his victim €8,000 A Co Donegal man who attacked another man and left him with a broken eye-socket after a one-punch attack in a bar has avoided going to jail after he paid his victim €8,000. Father-of-four John Parke, 42, appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court where he was charged with a Section 3 assault on Gary Gibson. Farmer Parke admitted the attack and previously offered his victim a token of his remorse of €1,000 which Judge John Aylmer said "borders on an insult." The accused man returned to court where he increased his offer of remorse to his victim to €8,000. The court had heard Mr Gibson and Parke had been drinking at the Diamond Bar in Raphoe at approximately 11.30pm on August 24th, 2019 when the incident occurred. John Parke News in 90 Seconds - May 29th Prosecutor Ms Fiona Crawford said Mr Gibson had been in the bar when Parke arrived and said to Mr Gibson 'get the f**k out of the bar.' Mr Gibson then turned to Parke and told him he was finishing his half pint of alcohol when Parke suddenly struck his victim with a closed fist to the face. Mr Gibson was cleaned up and taken to Letterkenny University Hospital before being transferred to Sligo Hospital and then on to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry for treatment. The court heard that Mr Gibson's right eye socket was displaced by 5 millimetres, that he was off work for three weeks, had headaches for six weeks after the incident and that he still has a 'constant drooping' in his eye. He said he was thankful to the doctors at Sligo Hospital who managed to save the sight in his right eye. Garda William Powell, the investigating member, said there had been no CCTV in the bar and nobody present was willing to make a statement. A victim impact statement on behalf of the victim said he was still afraid when he went out socially and was nervous in case he met Parke and that he always had his wife 'on standby' to collect him as he is afraid to walk home. Parke made a voluntary cautioned memo of interview to Gardai on October 2nd, 2019 in which he admitted to meeting Gary Gibson in the bar and saying to him 'what's wrong with you?' Parke said there was not a lot said between the pair but there was some 'pushing and shoving' but that he left and met his wife before going home. When the allegation that he punched Mr Gibson was put to him by Gardai, Parke replied 'Bullshit, that's a load of crap, I did not hit him.' The accused also claimed he could not have punched Mr Gibson as he had cut his hand with a blade a short time earlier and could not make a fist. However, he later entered a guilty plea to assaulting Mr Gibson. The court was told that Parke had two historic previous convictions for criminal damage going back to 2004 but none for assault of any nature. Barrister for Parke, Mr Ciaran Elders, BL, said his client was an active member of the local community and had been involved in training underage sports teams, in various charity events and he knew that he should have walked away on the night in question rather than becoming involved. He said a probation report into Parke said there had been a slight conflict and that a drink may have spilled onto his trousers and there had been a verbal spat with Mr Gibson but said he had no recollection of punching him. The probation service also said he was at a low risk of reoffending and that he was suitable for community service and is also very remorseful for what had happened. Mr Elders added that Parke was a man with a virtually unblemished record and that this incident was totally out of character for him and that there had been no further conflict between the accused and the victim. He said he had the sum of €1,000 in court by ways of compensation to his victim. Judge John Aylmer said that this was clearly a very serious assault given the circumstances adding Mr Gibson suffered a very nasty fracture to his cheekbone as he reflected on the victim's injuries. He said he placed the incident 'very much in the mid range' and one which merited a prison sentence of three years before mitigation. He added that he entered a plea at the last moment but this did not entitle him to one third off his sentence but credit has to be given for it. Judge Aylmer said he recognised the fact that Parke was of limited means but that the offer of €1,000 'is bordering on an insult to Mr Gibson.' Barrister Mr Elders suggested if he had more time but the Judge replied that he 'has had an awful lot of time' but said he was still in denial at giving Mr Gibson such a firm blow that he would cause such injuries. 'He has a long way to go to avoid a prison sentence,' added the Judge. Mr Elders asked if the court had any idea of a figure which it would be satisfied with, to which Judge Aylmer replied 'No. He will have to arrive at it himself. It's not a cattle mart.' A revised offer of €8,000 was made in court which the accused man's barrister said was "a huge amount of money for him to raise." Mr Elders added that he did not think there was a huge benefit to society by incarcerating Parke saying he was a functioning member of his community and broader society as a whole. Passing final sentence, Judge John Aylmer said Parke caused a very serious injury to his victim and he placed the assault at the mid range of such incidents meriting a sentence of three years before mitigation. Judge Aylmer referred to the probation service report which said Parke was deemed a low risk of reoffending, the lack of any major previous convictions as well as a letter from Parke's partner. He said it was clear that incarceration would place an extreme burden on the accused man's family and especially his child with special needs for whom Parke cares for. The Judge added that the increase from €1,000 to €8,000 for Mr Gibson was a more genuine token of remorse and having regard to his otherwise good character, he proposed to deal with the sentence by way of a non-custodial sentence. He ordered Parke to do 240 hours community service in lieu of two years in prison on the basis that the money is paid over to Mr Gibson, not as compensation as he may have a future claim for compensation, but as a token of his remorse.
Irish Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Farmer who broke man's eye socket avoids jail after 'token of remorse'
A Co Donegal man who attacked another man and left him with a broken eye-socket after a one-punch attack in a bar has avoided going to jail after he paid his victim €8,000. Father-of-four John Parke, 42, appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court where he was charged with a Section 3 assault on Gary Gibson. Farmer Parke admitted the attack and previously offered his victim a token of his remorse of €1,000 which Judge John Aylmer said "borders on an insult." The accused man returned to court where he increased his offer of remorse to his victim to €8,000. The court had heard Mr Gibson and Parke had been drinking at the Diamond Bar in Raphoe at approximately 11.30pm on August 24, 2019 when the incident occurred. Prosecutor Ms Fiona Crawford said Mr Gibson had been in the bar when Parke arrived and said to Mr Gibson 'get the f**k out of the bar.' Mr Gibson then turned to Parke and told him he was finishing his half pint of alcohol when Parke suddenly struck his victim with a closed fist to the face. Mr Gibson was cleaned up and taken to Letterkenny University Hospital before being transferred to Sligo Hospital and then on to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry for treatment. The court heard that Mr Gibson's right eye socket was displaced by five millimetres, that he was off work for three weeks, had headaches for six weeks after the incident and that he still has a 'constant drooping' in his eye. He said he was thankful to the doctors at Sligo Hospital who managed to save the sight in his right eye. Garda William Powell, the investigating member, said there had been no CCTV in the bar and nobody present was willing to make a statement. A victim impact statement on behalf of the victim said he was still afraid when he went out socially and was nervous in case he met Parke and that he always had his wife 'on standby' to collect him as he is afraid to walk home. Parke made a voluntary cautioned memo of interview to Gardai on October 2, 2019 in which he admitted to meeting Gary Gibson in the bar and saying to him 'what's wrong with you?' Parke said there was not a lot said between the pair but there was some 'pushing and shoving' but that he left and met his wife before going home. When the allegation that he punched Mr Gibson was put to him by Gardai, Parke replied 'Bullshit, that's a load of crap, I did not hit him.' The accused also claimed he could not have punched Mr Gibson as he had cut his hand with a blade a short time earlier and could not make a fist. However, he later entered a guilty plea to assaulting Mr Gibson. The court was told that Parke had two historic previous convictions for criminal damage going back to 2004 but none for assault of any nature. Barrister for Parke, Mr Ciaran Elders, BL, said his client was an active member of the local community and had been involved in training underage sports teams, in various charity events and he knew that he should have walked away on the night in question rather than becoming involved. He said a probation report into Parke said there had been a slight conflict and that a drink may have spilled onto his trousers and there had been a verbal spat with Mr Gibson but said he had no recollection of punching him. The probation service also said he was at a low risk of reoffending and that he was suitable for community service and is also very remorseful for what had happened. Mr Elders added that Parke was a man with a virtually unblemished record and that this incident was totally out of character for him and that there had been no further conflict between the accused and the victim. He said he had the sum of €1,000 in court by ways of compensation to his victim. Judge John Aylmer said that this was clearly a very serious assault given the circumstances adding Mr Gibson suffered a very nasty fracture to his cheekbone as he reflected on the victim's injuries. He said he placed the incident 'very much in the mid range' and one which merited a prison sentence of three years before mitigation. He added that he entered a plea at the last moment but this did not entitle him to one third off his sentence but credit has to be given for it. Judge Aylmer said he recognised the fact that Parke was of limited means but that the offer of €1,000 'is bordering on an insult to Mr Gibson.' Barrister Mr Elders suggested if he had more time but the Judge replied that he 'has had an awful lot of time' but said he was still in denial at giving Mr Gibson such a firm blow that he would cause such injuries. 'He has a long way to go to avoid a prison sentence,' added the Judge. Mr Elders asked if the court had any idea of a figure which it would be satisfied with, to which Judge Aylmer replied 'No. He will have to arrive at it himself. It's not a cattle mart.' A revised offer of €8,000 was made in court which the accused man's barrister said was "a huge amount of money for him to raise." Mr Elders added that he did not think there was a huge benefit to society by incarcerating Parke saying he was a functioning member of his community and broader society as a whole. Passing final sentence, Judge John Aylmer said Parke caused a very serious injury to his victim and he placed the assault at the mid range of such incidents meriting a sentence of three years before mitigation. Judge Aylmer referred to the probation service report which said Parke was deemed a low risk of reoffending, the lack of any major previous convictions as well as a letter from Parke's partner. He said it was clear that incarceration would place an extreme burden on the accused man's family and especially his child with special needs for whom Parke cares for. The Judge added that the increase from €1,000 to €8,000 for Mr Gibson was a more genuine token of remorse and having regard to his otherwise good character, he proposed to deal with the sentence by way of a non-custodial sentence. He ordered Parke to do 240 hours community service in lieu of two years in prison on the basis that the money is paid over to Mr Gibson, not as compensation as he may have a future claim for compensation, but as a token of his remorse.
