Judge quizzes Offaly man seeking legal aid about 'Canada Goose' jacket

JUDGE Andrew Cody queried the brand of a jacket being worn by a man who was applying for legal aid at Tullamore District Court.

When Judge Cody enquired about what he said was a 'Canada Goose' jacket, John Paul Ward, Norbury Woods, Tullamore, replied that he had purchased it in the Clara Market.

Mr Ward, whose 44^th birthday coincided with the date of his court appearance, pleaded guilty to public drunkenness and a breach of the peace at O'Connor Square, Tullamore on December 30 last.

The court was told that the man had been very abusive to gardai while he was intoxicated, calling them “bastards” and “stupid c***s”.

Mr Ward had previous convictions for public order, road traffic and drugs offences with a latter offence recorded against him on December 5, 2025, resulting in Judge Cody noting that he had been in court two weeks before committing the offences to which he was now pleading guilty.

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Mr Ward's solicitor, Patrick Martin, said the latest offending had taken place over the Christmas period and on that date he had been drinking quite heavily, including the consumption of vodka, which he wouldn't usually drink.

A father of eight, aged from four two 19 years, he was not employed. He regretted what he had done and apologised to the gardai.

Judge Cody (pictured below) imposed a two-month prison sentence but suspended it for two years upon entry of a €200 bond by Mr Ward.

When Mr Martin applied for legal aid, the judge asked about Mr Ward's clothing and made a reference to his jacket costing “about €1,000 in Brown Thomas”.

“Canada Goose, is it?” asked the judge. Mr Ward indicated it had been bought in Clara Market.

Mr Martin told the court the jacket was not genuine.

Judge Cody said that if Mr Ward had that much money to go around drinking he should have enough money to pay for legal representation.

He said the man would have to produce bank accounts and vouch for where he bought the jacket, otherwise legal aid would not be granted.

He adjourned the legal aid application to February 11 next.