Judge tells Mayo man to bring his girlfriend 'for a nice meal out'
Judge Alan Mitchell gives Ballycroy man a reduced fine after he agreed to deal with his case in the absence of his solicitor
A judge advised a Mayo man to take his girlfriend out for dinner after he gave him a good deal by reducing the cost of his fine by up to 80 percent.
Joshua Lynch (27) of Drumslide, Ballycroy appeared before Belmullet District Court where he was fined €50 after he pleaded guilty to intoxication in a public place.
Mr Lynch’s solicitor was not in court after withdrawing his services due to the ongoing dispute between solicitors and the Department of Justice and the case was due to be adjourned to November.
However, Mr Lynch agreed to a proposition by Judge Alan Mitchell to go ahead with the case without representation with the promise of a reduced fine.
Inpsector Dermot Butler explained that on August 23 last gardaí were in patrol in Bangor Erris at 1.10am and came across Mr Lynch who was extremely drunk and lying on the side of the road. He said he has two previous convictions for similar offences.
Judge Mitchel said that Mr Lynch would normally face a fine of around €250 but by going ahead with the case and not adjourning it to wait for his solicitor, he was getting ‘a good deal’ with just a €50 fine.
“You have got a big discount today,” Judge Mitchell said, adding that with the savings he made Mr Lynch should take his girlfriend, who was with him in court, 'for a nice meal out'.