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Judge MacBride, Cavan judge strikes again

category cavan | miscellaneous | other press author Friday December 25, 2009 17:41author by Ted - MediaWatch

Judge with legacy of unbalanced decisions makes the headlines

"They would take the eye out of you while smiling at you... They've been reared that way."

Cavan Anglo Celt Newspaper

http://www.anglocelt.ie/news/roundup/articles/2009/12/1...udge/

"It's time the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) got the finger out on these people. They're driving around in jeeps, and the rest of the country on its knees," said Judge MacBride as he dealt with three members of the McDonagh family in Cavan District Court last Thursday. "I'm going to put a stop to it, in so far as I can make my small contribution in my district," said the judge, who spoke of the family "moving like yo-yos" and going to different employment exchanges.
Judge MacBride Cavan Racist Judget
Judge MacBride Cavan Racist Judget

After some hesitation and confusion, which prompted the judge to warn him to "stop play-acting with the courts", Charles McDonagh, 14 Fairgreen Apartments, Lakeview, Cavan pleaded guilty to stealing two flatscreen TVs worth €910 from Xtravision, Cavan. The court heard that the 18-year-old defendant, whose wife had recently given birth, had 36 previous convictions including theft, assault, handling stolen property, possession of a weapon and public order. "He has no interest in rehabilitating himself. He is a professional criminal and so are his family," said Judge MacBride, whose case list continued with Kathleen and Terence McDonagh. "They would take the eye out of you while smiling at you... They've been reared that way." He added that he wanted them "out... amach" and said he'd "jail every last one of them if they come before me". He sentenced Charles McDonagh to nine months and fixed recognisances.

Kathleen McDonagh pleaded guilty to trespassing on Brady's Public House, Kilcogy on August 6 and to stealing a rug worth €29.99 from Tommy's Wonderland, Cavan on September 17 this year.
When told Ms McDonagh was due to give birth on January 20 and the gardaí had no objections to bail, Judge MacBride noted the second offence was committed while the defendant was on bail from the first.

"I couldn't care less if they have no objections," said the judge, asking Inspector John Dollard if he was "just allowing" them to offend while on bail.
Representing the defendant, Larry Baxter, BL, said his client needed to attend hospital but Judge MacBride said: "I don't trust her or her family - not a single word do I believe that comes out of their mouths."

Remanding her in custody to Cavan District Court this Thursday with consent to bail, Judge MacBride said: "These people are moving like yo-yos. Every time they come to me they have a different address," he added, when informed by Mr. Baxter of an address amendment.
He issued a bench warrant for Terence McDonagh in connection with the Xtravision theft.

Related Link: http://www.anglocelt.ie/news/roundup/articles/2009/12/16/3993608-they-have-jeeps-but-country-on-knees-judge/

Comments (11 of 11)

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author by RobberyVictimpublication date Fri Dec 25, 2009 19:17author address author phone

Yes, he is certainly being unprofessional in his utterances for a highly paid judge, but 35 prior convictions means something too. It means that the person is deeply involved in criminal activities, a nuisance to the community at large, and not likely to simply change his ways until there are at least consequences.

What do the people who wrote this article suggest should be done with this person? I'm really curious!

author by Santa Clauspublication date Fri Dec 25, 2009 20:18author address author phone

Nothing "racist" in sending a habitual criminal to jail for 9 months.

author by Allenpublication date Sat Dec 26, 2009 10:41author address author phone

He has 36 previous convictions and this time stole two flat-screen telly sets from a store. He is a habitual criminal who stole while on bail. I am surprised that the judge gave him 9 months in jail. With good behaviour he should be out by late summer. How will he try to earn a living for himself and his wife's baby then? Talking about racism is a distracter.

author by Bazooka Joepublication date Mon Dec 28, 2009 15:26author address author phone

In my opinion the judge was far too lenient with a man who had a lengthy criminal record. To have 36 previous convictions at the age of 18 shows that this man has little interest in contributing to society and sees those of us who work as being his meal ticket. Two other members of his family were up for theft the same day and you think it is 'racist' to say that they are thieves and that they are not to be trusted?

author by Alpublication date Thu Dec 31, 2009 01:47author address author phone

PC? No. True? yes.

What do you suggest? A cup of tea and a biscuit then sure away you go and good luck with that stealing from decent people. Sure maybe you wont get caught next time.

author by Brian Stewartpublication date Thu Dec 31, 2009 12:43author address author phone

How can Judge MacBride be a racist? standing up and doing what is right in his community should be applauded. he is using his powers to ensure the community of Cavan is not being ripped off.
lets hope more Judges do the right thing.

author by Pedantpublication date Fri Jan 01, 2010 20:50author address author phone

The Travellers are Irish, so it is technically inaccurate to call this a racial issue. What we have in this country is a type of caste system. The judge has shown himself to be prejudiced against this particular section of society.
I wish the judiciary would focus some of their suspicions on parts of the banking sector, presumptions of guilt there would probably have more foundation.

author by Damienpublication date Sat Jan 02, 2010 01:58author address author phone

"The judge has shown himself to be prejudiced against this particular section of society."

How so? Please elaborate. To me he's earned his crust in sentencing a habitual thief to a custodial sentence. The guy has 36 previous convictions for god's sake. Should he let him off because a couple of travellers are discriminated against?

author by Kevin Murphypublication date Sat Jan 02, 2010 02:48author address author phone

While theres no doubt the judges refrence to some sort of collective of maldoers needs clarification the fact is the names MacDonagh and McBride hail from the very same gaelic ancestry and from not that long ago either . If there was abuse or discrimination it crtainly wasnt of the racist variety . Perhaps theres a case to be made for people utilising their brains prior to their faculties for speech.

author by Jacqueline Fallonpublication date Sun Jan 03, 2010 21:02author address author phone

How on Earth could this Irish Judge be racist? Both the judge and the accused are all Irish! (the country has gone p.c. craicaillte!)

Also, the man admitted to stealing the two flatscreen televisions, and the woman admitted to stealing also. If I stole two t.v.s I would expect to be sent to prison for a few years and denied bail (if I had previous convictions). Nine months is a 'piece of cake' to someone who is a habitual hardened criminal and has been in prison before (I hope!) and does not seem to mind going back.

If this was a case where the couple stole food for the baby or basic groceries because they were poor, I might consider it unfair - I have zero tolerance for anyone selfish enough to steal luxury non-essential items for themselves, that I would have to save a year to buy.

The decision is a just one.

author by PCmadnesspublication date Mon Jan 04, 2010 02:34author address author phone

we would not even be having this conversation. He would be in jail as he should be with nobody talking about him. One rule for the rich, one rule for the political football minority, and then fuck all the rest of ye!


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