'Painful' penalty as Longford defendant hit with conviction

A 60 year old Melview man who received the benefit of the court by being ordered to pay €1,000 to the Little Blue Heroes charity in lieu of a conviction drew the ire of the district court judge when he not only failed to appear in person for his scheduled court date recently, but additionally, had not paid the balance of the donation.

Mr Harry Hughes of Derryharrow, Melview, Longford, was originally found guilty of a section 6 public order offence for threatening and abusive behaviour which occurred on Mary Street, Drumlish on August 22, 2023. 

Mr Hughes was represented in court by solicitor John Anderson who told the court that there was still a balance of €440 outstanding. 

When asked if his client was present in court, Mr Anderson added, “Mr Hughes had to attend an appointment with his partner in Belfast and couldn’t be here today. 

“We asked him for the money but he doesn’t have it so I’m asking for one final adjournment.”  

Replied Judge Owens, visibly annoyed, “Oh this is painful now!” 

“It is, Judge,” Mr Anderson agreed. “I’m in your hands, Judge.”

Judge Owens pointed out that “this man got the benefit of a 1.1 if he paid the money” referring to the penalty known as Section 1.1, which is usually a charity donation in lieu of a conviction, a prison sentence, or a fine. 

Failure to pay the donation in the time frame allocated by a court carries with it repercussions such as a conviction and a fine. Judge Owens added that there was now “a fault position” because the donation had only been partially paid. 

The Judge gave credit to Mr Hughes for having paid €560 of the €1,000 fine but said he was going to now have a conviction recorded against him.

Upon directing that the €560 be paid to Little Blue Heroes, Judge Owens convicted and fined Mr Hughes €400 with 5 months to pay.

Read More: Woman in court accused of stealing groceries from county Longford shop worth €800