A DEFENDANT asked if curfew conditions as part of his bail be dropped, as he was afraid his landlord at the Red Gap might evict him if any more Guards with flashing blue lights arrived out to check on whether he is at home or not.
The request was made to Judge James Faughnan at Tuam District Court by Kenneth O’Brien, The Red Gap, Barnaderg who said his landlord was getting upset over Garda patrol cars arriving at his door with their blue lights flashing. O’Brien faces charges under the Road Traffic Act.
However, Garda Sgt Christy Brown said he could inform the Court and anyone who wanted to listen that Garda cars have blue lights and will continue to have them for the foreseeable future, so Mr O’Brien will have to live with that.
Judge Faughnan said that the Guards have a job to do and blue lights come with the territory, adding that that’s how the job is done.
Eric Gleeson solr (defending ) pleaded that his client had a new job as an executive chef in Galway and wanted to get on with his life. He asked that the curfew conditions of his client’s bail be dropped to alleviate his concerns over eviction. He said his client lived in a rural area and the curfew was inconvenient for him.
O’Brien said: “I’ve got a seven-year-old kid. I’m getting on with my life and am afraid that my landlord might evict me if Guards keep arriving out.”
Judge Faughnan said he would have no problem amending the bail conditions provided the Gardaí had no objection, but he had to get the go-ahead from them.
However, Sgt Brown was not for turning and the curfew and the blue lights are to stay in place.
“I can tell the Court that Guards do have blue lights on top of their cars,” he added.
Matters were adjourned until the November 11 sitting of the Court, with the curfew remaining in place.
