AN alleged drunk driver attempted to have his case dismissed because of the delays in bringing the charge against him before Tuam District Court.
Marsym Shcheholev of 23, Curlew View, Boyle addressed Judge James Faughnan through an Ukrainian/Russian interpreter and pleaded this was his sixth appearance in Court and the prolonged process and repeated adjournments were having an adverse impact on his health.
He said he didn’t understand why the Gardaí had asked for three of the adjournments and now because of the legal aid dispute, he had no solicitor to represent him. The was all causing him immense stress and affecting his life in a negative way.
“Taking all this into account I respectfully ask to strike out this charge today,” he stated through his translator.
He added that he had sat his driving test last March and now had a full licence.
Prosecuting Garda Sgt Christy Brown pointed out that two of the Garda adjournment requests were due to difficulties in finding an interpreter to assist the defendant.
Judge Faughnan refused to strike out the drunk driving charge which allegedly occurred in Dunmore on June 1, 2025.
He said that he would fix a hearing date of November 27 and that was now fixed, so he could have his case dealt with then.
