A Donegal man jailed last month for a savage assault on a teenage woman launched a series of interruptions from prison as he appeared before the court on separate assault charges.
Seamus Cooley rejected legal representation, spoke over Judge Éiteáin Daly and alleged corruption during two separate appearances via video link at Letterkenny District Court.
The accused appeared by video link from Castlerea Prison, where he is in custody serving a four-year sentence.
The 51-year-old quantity surveyor is charged with assaulting Garda Rory McGowan at an address in Lifford on May 27, 2023. The offence is contrary to section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.
Cooley is also charged with assaulting a man at the Angling Centre, Cahir O’Doherty Avenue, Buncrana on April 20, 2024 and with an assault at Murlog, Lifford on May 27, 2023.
Cooley faces a further charge of using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour on at the Angling Centre, Cahir O’Doherty Avenue, Buncrana on April 20, 2024.
As Cooley’s case was called, barrister Senan Crawford, BL, took to his feet but Cooley shouted: “You’re not representing me. Sit down and close your mouth.’
The barrister attempted to explain his position in the case to Judge Daly, but again Cooley interjected, telling the barrister: “You’re not representing me. I’ll send a complaint to the Law Society. I will address the judge myself. I don’t need you to address the judge.”
Judge Daly advised Cooley that she needed to know where the case was at.
Cooley was warned that he would be cut off if he didn’t desist.
Barrister Crawford, instructed by solicitor Conor Moylan, told the court that these matters were adjourned pending the conclusion of a Circuit Court case involving Cooley.
Since being sentenced in the Circuit Court, a solicitor has withdrawn his representation of Cooley.
“Mr Cooley has indicated his personal preference,” the barrister told Judge Daly.
The case was before the court for Cooley to indicate whether he wished to plead guilty or seek a hearing date to contest the charges.
The barrister advised Judge Daly that he was also applying to come off record as Cooley “has made his preference clear”.
The court was told that all disclosure is with the lawyers who acted for Cooley and these will now be forwarded directly to the accused.
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Judge Daly asked Cooley if he wished to plead guilty or seek a hearing date and he replied: “I would appreciate it if you don’t speak to anyone bar me. I am entitled to speak.”
Judge Daly again warned Cooley that he would be cut off and the volume on the sound coming from the video link was cut.
The case was put on hold for two hours, but upon his return on the scene Cooley demanded: “Is there a reason I wasn’t allowed to speak earlier on?”
He told Judge Daly: “I’m talking to you. I’m asking you a question.”
Cooley alleged “corruption” within the Donegal courts.
When again asked as to his position with his plea, Cooley responded: “I am asking you a question.”
Cooley continued to talk over Judge Daly, saying: “I have things to say”.
Judge Daly advised Cooley that “this isn’t appropriate for today” and advised that the case would be put back for a week for him to think about.
The volume on Cooley’s feed was again cut off and the defendant could be seen continuing to talk and gesture to the court.
Last month, Cooley was jailed for four years following a savage and unprovoked attack on a teenage woman.
Cooley was jailed at Letterkenny Circuit Court for the random attack on Shanan Reid McDaid.
The court heard that Cooley rained a series of punches on the then 18-year-old’s face on October 15, 2017.
Cooley denied the attack and told Gardai that the allegation against him was “bullshit” while he was said to have been “extremely derogatory” about Ms Reid McDaid and other women.
Cooley has been in prison since last June, when he was remanded in custody for repeated bail breaches, and his barrister, Mr James McGowan SC, said that being incarcerated has been “difficult” for his client.
Judge John Aylmer described then incident as a “very violent physical attack” and imposed a four-year prison sentence.