A Ballybofey man due to stand trial on harassment charges has had his case adjourned after Letterkenny Circuit Court was told he has Covid.
The trial of Tom Dignam was due to start yesterday before a jury.
However, 62-year-old Mr Dignam, who is representing himself, was not in court when his case was called.
His case had been mentioned at the initial court ‘call-over’ last week and the accused had not turned up.
An initial bench warrant was issued and Dignam was brought to court and warned by Judge John Aylmer about turning up for the start of his trial yesterday.
When Dignam failed to show again in court yesterday, Judge Aylmer issued another bench warrant for his arrest to bring him to court.
However, Garda Sergeant Michael Kilcoyne told the court later that he had attempted to call to Mr Dignam’s house at Woodlands, Dooish in Ballybofey.
However, when he arrived at Dignam’s house he was met by signs which stated that the accused was isolating.
The court was also told that a medical certificate had been issued on behalf of Mr Dignam’s GP in Cavan.
The court was told Dignam is suffering from an ongoing respiratory condition.
Sgt Kilcoyne also told the court that he had spoken with the accused and said that he had looked ill.
The Garda also said that a number of Gardai who had arrested Mr Dignam and brought him before the courts last week were currently suffering from Covid.
Judge John Aylmer said that in all of the circumstances he was adjourning the trial until next October.
Dignam is charged that between December 10th, 2019 and November 2, 2020, did without lawful authority or reasonable excuse harass Aidan Devine by persistently besetting him by posting messages on Facebook.