Judge says woman's employment in Offaly hair salon is 'gobbledygook'

JUDGE Andrew Cody said he did not believe “gobbledygook” about a woman's employment which was presented to him at Tullamore District Court.

Judge Cody was seeking information on the employment status of Jenny Coonan (33), Sofia Housing, High Street, Tullamore, when he was sentencing her for unauthorised carriage in a vehicle.

Ms Coonan had previously been convicted of the offence which was committed on May 2 last year at Chancery Park Road in Tullamore.

When Ms Coonan was before the court on February 25 last evidence of her work was handed in by Paul Noctor, BL.

Judge Cody said that was a letter offering Ms Coonan part-time employment and noted that previously he had been told the accused was already working as a hair stylist.

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“Who's spoofing who?” asked the judge.

Ms Coonan told the court her manager was “Chinese” and Judge Coonan said he was considering calling that person into court.

“I don't take this nonsense lightly,” he added, warning Ms Coonan that the matter was relevant if she wanted a suspended sentence.

The matter was adjourned to March 4 and at that court sitting Ms Coonan was represented by David Nugent, BL.

Mr Nugent handed in a letter from “Mr Lee”, saying he ran the Sunshine hair salon and the accused was paid in cash.

“Is any tax being paid?” asked the judge.

Mr Nugent said he believed Ms Coonan would be under the tax threshold.

Judge Cody said the accused was a woman with 50 previous convictions and she had been given an opportunity to produce evidence she was in paid employment.

Mr Nugent said the letter had been produced and Mr Lee himself was reluctant to appear I ncourt.

He said the employer was trying to get Ms Coonan back on her feet.

The job was not “six days a week” but was a stepping stone for her to prove herself and he asked the court to allow Ms Coonan to “rebuild” with small steps.

He said his client had been working for the last three Saturdays.

Considering his sentence, Judge Cody asked if any damage had been done to the car involved in the offence and was told by the prosecution they did not believe so.

The judge imposed a four-month sentence but suspended it for two years. “I don't believe any gobbledygook about working or being offered work,” he said.

Mr Nugent said he was grateful to the court and stated he believed Ms Coonan was working and it could be very hard for someone in her position to get into the workforce.