Judge warns Offaly man 'to not try and pull the wool' over his eyes

JUDGE Andrew Cody warned a defendant from Banagher to not try and pull the wool over his eyes during last week's sitting of Tullamore District Court.

“You shouldn't think of trying to bluff me,” the Judge remarked. “I want the truth.” He subsequently adjourned the case to give the defendant time to provide evidence that he is attending a mental wellbeing rehab course in Banagher.

Before the court was Evan Duffy, 8 Middle Road, Banagher who was charged with assaulting Gardai Ciaran Ryan and Finbar Leahy in Tullamore Courthouse on Cormac St, Tullamore on October 6 2021. He was also charged with threatening to kill or cause harm to Garda Finbar Leahy and Sgt Richard Thornton in the same place and on the same date. He was charged as well with damaging a Covid warning sign in the same place and on the same date.

The defending barrister told the Judge that Mr Duffy was taking his rehabilitation seriously and had applied for a Wellbeing Course in Banagher.

Sgt Brendan Kearns said Mr Duffy had 21 previous convictions.

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Judge Cody wanted to know why the defendant discontinued attending an improvement course in Athlone.

The barrister said there were transport difficulties, “which made it difficult for him going to and coming back from the course.”

The barrister produced a character reference from a Detective Inspector for the Judge to read. “My client is seeing a therapist and has been assessed as having bipolar disorder. He is also sitting his driving test this week which might solve the transport problem.”

Judge Cody said he needed written confirmation showing that the defendant was indeed attending the therapist and the Banagher sessions.

“I will not look favourably on it if you're bluffing me,” he warned.

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