Mayo man sentenced to one day imprisonment for failing to pay parking fine

A MAYO man who described community service as slave labour was sentenced to one day in jail after he failed to pay a €100 fine.

Patrick Cannon (63) of Cloonferth, Ballyheane, Castlebar was sentenced to one day imprisonment at Castlebar District Court this afternoon (Tuesday) after he failed to pay a €100 fine imposed on him in September 2018 for a parking offence. The fine was due to be paid in February 2019.

The defendant appeared before Judge Fiona Lydon after he was arrested on Tuesday morning at his home on foot of bench warrants issued for his non-appearance in court in connection with the failure to pay the fine.

When asked by Judge Lydon if he was going to pay the fine, Mr Cannon said he was a farmer and could not afford to pay the fine.

Judge Lydon put it to Mr Cannon if he did not have the money to pay the fine, he could sell an asset to come up with the €100 or equally he could engage in community service.

In response, Mr Cannon, who was representing himself in court, said that he has property but has no assets to sell. He added he had an 'inalienable right to property' and it was not for sale.

When asked about the option of community service, Mr Cannon described community service as slave labour and added he did not want to be a slave and questioned Judge Lydon if she wanted to be charged as a slave trader.

During the course of the hearing, Mr Cannon questioned the legality of the court and claimed he had been 'abducted' by the gardaí when arrested on foot of the bench warrant. He also repeatedly asked Judge Lydon if she had any 'equity to deal with the case'.

Judge Lydon put it to Mr Cannon that given he was unable to pay the fine and had no assets to sell to pay it and was not willing to undergo community service, his liberty was now in danger. She advised him to speak to a solicitor but Mr Cannon said he wouldn't as he did not trust them.

Judge Lydon said she was inclined to make a recovery order but the legislation did not allow it as the fine was less than €500. As a result she said that imprisonment appeared to be the only option and asked Mr Cannon to reconsider his options.

“No, I'm sorry, I can't do that,” he said. He claimed he was owed €20,000 by the state and offered the court to take it out of that.

Judge Lydon said that any money owed was a separate issue from what she was dealing with regarding the non-payment of a fine.

“I'll go on holiday so,” Mr Cannon replied.

Judge Lydon said the maximum prison sentence she can impose for a non-payment of a fine less than €500 is five days, so to be fair and equitable she would impose a sentence of one day imprisonment.

“That's okay, thank you. It's a funny thing to be thankful for but we will not fall out over it,” Mr Cannon said after the sentence was passed and he was led away from the court.