A District Court judge was called before the Cahirciveen court in Co Kerry yesterday… which is actually the court he presides in.
Judge James O’Connor was called before Cahirciveen courthouse in Co Kerry to face an allegation that he failed to display a National Car Testing disc on his car in July. For a while, he was the presiding judge and a defendant in his own courtroom. Sure, two birds, one stone and all that.
On the day that the alleged offence occurred, Judge O’Connor had his car parked on Newmarket Street, just outside the courthouse. He was actually inside the courthouse when a Garda noticed his 2004 car did not have a valid NCT disc on show.
Judge O’Connor usually presides at District Court number 17 in Kerry.
A request was made for the state to furnish all documents and Garda notebooks relating to the case.
Judge O’Connor eventually adjourned the matter for mention to the March 15 sitting of the court for a full hearing date to be decided by the President of the District Court.
He said an independent judge would have to come down from Dublin to hear the matter.
Who knew it would take so much effort (and money) to give a judge a good old slap on the wrist?
