Offaly man on 'Mickey Mouse' charges warned he must turn up in court
Tullamore 44-year-old on theft charges was arrested by appointment and told Tullamore District Court he is full time carer for wife in wheelchair
A MAN was told by Judge Andrew Cody that he was wasting time and money by not turning up in court to face theft charges.
Tullamore District Court was told that John Murphy (44), Cloncollig, Tullamore had been arrested by appointment and there had been nine previous warrants for him.
Judge Cody heard Mr Murphy had brought €100 in cash with him towards a bail lodgement and the gardai had no objection to bail being granted.
The judge told the accused man he was being charged with theft of €43 and a flapjack worth €2.80, plus a bottle of Gorilla juice.
“They're for Mickey Mouse stuff,” said Judge Cody, asking Murphy why he had not turned up on a previous date when he should have.
“Why weren't you here?” he asked. “These have to be dealt with. You're wasting everybody's time and money now.”
Mr Murphy said his wife was in a wheelchair and was outside the courtroom. “I'm caring for her full time,” he said, apologising for his absence previously.
Judge Cody was told the gardai accepted that the accused man was going through some difficulties at the time.
The judge remanded Mr Murphy on continuing bail to appear in court again on September 16, on his own bond of €200 and a cash lodgement of €100.
Judge Cody stressed that he wanted to “make progress” in the case and advised Mr Murphy to speak to his solicitor Aisling Maloney.
He warned the accused about the September date: “If you don't turn up that €100 is gone.”
(Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme)