A District Court Judge has warned a man who has outstanding fines of €800 that he must pay up soon.
At Ballyshannon District Court, Judge Michael Connellan told Cal Wogan that it was “unacceptable” that the fines, some which were issued five years ago, remain unpaid.
Wogan, with an address at Dillon Court, Church Lane, Manorhamilton, has also been charged with further drug-related offences.
The court was told that €800 is outstanding in fines with some of the amount unpaid since 2020.
“Correct is one thing, payment is another,,” Judge Connellan told the 26-year-old Wogan.
Judge Connellan said the matter was before the court due to Wogan’s failure to pay the fines. He said Wogan had previously been convicted of offences such as possession of drugs, no insurance and possession of knives and other articles. Fines had been issued to the defendant, but were not paid.
“It shows absolute disrespect,” he said. “It is totally unacceptable that it is as far out as five years.”
Wogan said he had only €4 on him and Judge Connellan said he would have to make a payment to the court soon.
Wogan told the court that he is engaging with mental health services at the moment. He said he is living in shared accommodation in a bed and breakfast.
He told Judge Connellan that he is in receipt of €200 each week from the State and has to pay €30 a week for his accommodation.
“You have €170 at your disposal every week.” Judge Connellan remarked.
The Judge added: “This needs to be dealt with. This can’t go on.”.
He told Wogan that he would have to make a payment to the Court in a month’s time.
Wogan asked if the sum of €250 would be “alright” to have in court on June 20. Judge Connellan said that this would be “very good”. He told the accused to return to court on that date for part-payment of the outstanding fines to be made.
Solicitor Mr Edmund Henry asked that Judge Connellan deal with the matter of jurisdiction in relation to two counts of possession of unlawful drugs and two further charges of possession of unlawful drugs for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying to others.
The DPP has directed that these charges, relating to matters from June 2022, be dealt with summarily in the District Court. Judge Connellan accepted jurisdiction on each charge.
These charges were adjourned until June 20 and Mr Henry indicated that his client would tender guilty pleas in respect of the charges.
“He will do certain things in the interim in relation to his mental health and engagement with the Probation Service,” Mr Henry said.
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