Other court news in brief
Suspended term for man who bit garda
A man who bit a garda at Dublin airport while being escorted on to a plane for deportation after he tried to enter the State with false documentation, has been given a two-year suspended sentence.
Serghei Nic Hiforeac (25), a Russian national, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of a false passport and was found guilty by a jury of assaulting the garda causing him harm on August 9th, 2006.
Judge Frank O'Donnell suspended the sentence on condition that Nic Hiforeac not be released from prison until arrangements had been made for his deportation.
Det Garda Breandán Ó Somnacháin said that Nic Hiforeac arrived with a Czech passport but after an interpreter was called to assist with translations, it became obvious he was not from the Czech Republic.
He was refused permission to come into the State and was held in the airport until arrangements could be made to fly him back to Italy from where his inward flight had originated.
Garda Ó Somnacháin said that Nic Hiforeac became aggressive and bit one garda as he was escorting him on to the plane and the cabin crew refused to allow him to board.
Man had 'treasure trove' for scam
A man who was found with a "treasure trove" of ATM skimming devices has been given a four-year sentence by Judge Katherine Delahunt at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Petrica Roman (26), a Romanian national, North Circular Road, Dublin, pleaded guilty to six counts of possession of items which are used in skimming operations at his flat on April 5th, 2007.
Judge Delahunt heard that Roman had arrived in Ireland two weeks before his arrest to look for work as a plasterer.
She suspended the final year of his sentence on condition that he leave the jurisdiction within seven days of his release from jail.
The judge noted that gardaí unearthed what she described as "a treasure trove of items" including card readers and camera which could be placed on to ATMs.
Sacristan to appeal conviction
A west of Ireland farmer and church sacristan has been permitted to bring a fresh appeal against his conviction for sexual assault of a girl to the Supreme Court, on grounds it raises an important point of law.
The Court of Criminal Appeal yesterday granted Gerald McNeill's application to refer his case to the Supreme Court. In June 2004, McNeill (61), Castlerea, Co Roscommon, was convicted on seven charges related to abuse which the prosecution said had started when the girl was nine and continued over several years.
He was sentenced to 11 years in jail.
Ruling later in Traveller case
A Traveller who is opposing a High Court attempt to remove him and about 100 members of his extended family from an alleged illegal camp near the M1 motorway says the only alternative accommodation being offered to them would expose them to danger.
Dublin City Council is seeking an injunction preventing further trespass on the site by the Gavin family of some 100 men, women and children in 30 caravans.
The site is on a 42-acre development property close to the Oscar Traynor Road and the M1/N32 near Coolock. Mr Justice Michael Peart yesterday reserved judgment on the application.