Suspended sentence for Wexford man
A young Wexford man entered pleas of guilty in relation to various offences. Kieran Bowe Walsh (24) of 48 Cois Mara, Rosslare, Wexford, plead guilty to a charge of criminal damage whereby on April 17 2023 while in the process of being conveyed to Wexford Garda Station Walsh headbutted the window of the garda car until it smashed. The accused also plead guilty to carrying a machete-type knife and tablets to the value of €600 discovered on his person when searched on July 14 2023.
The accused is also charged with an assault at Rosslare on July 29 2023 where it is alleged that Walsh ran across a road and confronted the injured party, an altercation ensued where the man sustained injuries including a wound to his head and a bite on his back. Walsh is pleading not guilty to this offence.
The court heard that Walsh has 29 previous convictions including a threat to kill and a production of an article during the course of a dispute for which he is serving a three year sentence.
Edward King, solicitor for the accused, handed in a psychological report to the court prepared by Dr. Catherine Norton, neuropsychologist. Mr King said the can be summarised that Walsh is an example of the lack of care given to people suffering with ADHD and autism. Walsh was expelled from two preschools as a child and subsequently was placed into a school for children with profound needs who the accused begin mimicking. Mr King noted that his client’s diagnoses causes him to act out and does not consider the consequences of his actions on others and himself. The solicitor stated his client appears to be in a cycle where he does quite well in prison with the supports provided for him but once released without these supports he finds himself committing further offences.
Judge Cheatle imposed a ten-month sentence, suspended for 12 months on the condition that Walsh enters into a 12-month probation supervision bond. This suspended sentence is to commence once the sentence imposed by Wexford Circuit Court has completed in June 2026. The assault matter was then adjourned to February 9 2026 for hearing.
Road traffic offences
A man plead guilty to a charge of driving without insurance, driving without tax, and driving while disqualified. The court heard that Radu Rostas (36) of 26 Bewley Street, New Ross, Wexford, was observed driving a vehicle at Bewley Street on January 1 2025. Lana Doherty, solicitor for the accused, informed the court that on the day in question Rostas was simply moving the car as the window had been smashed and he intended to clean up the glass on the floor. The court heard that Rostas has 39 previous convictions, 26 of which are road traffic related resulting in a ten-year driving disqualification in 2020. Judge Chealte adjourned the matter to November 25 for a community service report, if suitable the defendant will carry out 120 hours in lieu of ten months imprisonment.
Simon Bizau of 38 Hillbrook Woodss, Blanchardstown, Dublin, was fined €120 with three months to pay in relation to a speeding offence where the accused was travelling 89kmh on an 8km road in Barntown, Wexford on November 2 2023.
Jonathan McGrath (38) of Ballydoonel, Mullinanone, Tipperary, was detected driving 117kmh on the New Ross Bypass which is a 100km road on April 3 2025. The vehicle being driven by McGrath was also untaxed. The court heard McGrath has four previous road traffic convictions dating back to 2015. Judge Cheatle imposed a €250 fine with five months to pay in relation to the charge of no tax.
The court heard that Anthony Doyle of Cromwells Fort, Wexford, was driving a vehicle on which the tax had been expired for a period of two years. Doyle has no previous convictions. Judge Cheatle imposed a fine of €300 with six months to pay.
A woman made admissions to driving while holding a mobile phone. Alice Murphy (64) of 6 Bawnmore Terrace, New Ross, Wexford, was observed holding a mobile phone while driving at Irishtown, New Ross, on March 2 2025. Judge Cheatle fined the accused €150 with three months to pay.
Nicola O’Brien (38) of 277 Ard Uisce, Wexford Town, Wexford, plead guilty to an offence of driving while holding a mobile phone at Bishopswater, Wexford, on March 19 2025. Judge Cheatle imposed a fine of €150 with three months to pay.
A Dublin woman plead not guilty to a charge of holding a mobile phone while driving. Garda Niall Brophy gave evidence to the court that on March 4 2025 at Clonard Little, Wexford, he observed Zara Noonan (37) of 66 St Assams Road, West, Raheny, Dublin, driving while holding a mobile phone. Noonan subsequently gave evidence that she was not holding a phone and was in fact holding an eye shadow palette. When asked if she informed Garda Brophy of this at the time of stopping the accused stated that she did not as she believed she was stopped for a “mobile phone check” and she did not understand what this was. Judge Cheatle did not accept that Garda Brophy had not explained the cause of stop in plain English and in those circumstances fined Noonan €120 with three months to pay.
Johanna Connors of 2 Maconi Park, Enniscorthy, was fined in relation to an offence of parking in a disabled bay. Garda Kennedy gave evidence that on March 14 2025 at South Main Street, Wexford, the accused was parked in a disabled bay eating chips in the drivers seat. Judge Cheatle fined Connors €250 with four months to pay.
Bench Warrants
A bench warrant issued for Shane Smullen (34) of 97 Maher Road, Craigcullen, Carlow. Smullen is due before the court in relation to an alleged charge of possession of drugs at Rosslare Europort on April 17 2023. There was no appearance by the defendant.
Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
Wexford Courthouse.
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – September 28th