Ireland Kilfinane man pleads not guilty to being drunk in a public place
On the night of 5 January 2024, gardaí were called to an unrelated matter in Kilfinane, Co. Limerick, and then encountered James Heffernan, a 44-year-old man of Main Street, Kilfinane. Gardaí said he was visibly intoxicated and slurring his speech, and he was charged with being drunk in a public place and taken to Bruff Garda Station. He pleaded not guilty at Kilmallock Court, where Judge Nicola Jane Andrews said the State had proven its case. The latest reported development, in a court report published on 4 May 2024, is that the judge would allow a €100 poor box donation by 24 May 2024 in place of a conviction.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Garda Bojan Klaric said James Heffernan was visibly intoxicated and slurring his speech.
- Where
- The encounter with Heffernan took place on Main Street, Kilfinane, Co. Limerick.
- When
- Gardaí were called to an unrelated matter in Kilfinane on the night of 5 January 2024.
- The court report was published on 4 May 2024, although the feed lists it as dated 1 May 2024.
- Investigation
- Garda Bojan Klaric and Garda McCarthy gave evidence for the prosecution.
- Heffernan was conveyed to Bruff Garda Station after being charged.
- Heffernan's solicitor asked gardaí whether his client had received a can of cider en route to the garda station, and the garda said it seemed unlikely.
- Charges
- James Heffernan, 44, pleaded not guilty at Kilmallock Court to being drunk in a public place.
- In court
- Judge Nicola Jane Andrews said she had listened carefully to the evidence and was satisfied the State had proven its case.
- Sentence
- The judge said she would deal with the matter by way of a €100 court poor box donation.
- Heffernan would not receive a conviction for intoxication in a public place if he paid €100 by 24 May 2024.
- Other details
- Heffernan has 38 previous convictions, including seven for intoxication and six for threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour.
9 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA garda said Heffernan was visibly intoxicated and slurring his speech. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe incident involved Main Street in Kilfinane. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenGardaí were called to a matter in Kilfinane on the night of January 5, 2024. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationHeffernan was conveyed to Bruff Garda Station after being charged. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeJames Heffernan pleaded not guilty at Kilmallock Court to being drunk in a public place. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe judge said she had listened carefully to the evidence and was satisfied the State had proven its case. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceThe judge said she would deal with the matter by way of a court poor box donation. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceIf Heffernan paid €100 by May 24, he would not receive a conviction for intoxication in a public place. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherHeffernan has 38 previous convictions, including seven for intoxication and six for threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour. (limerickleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 May2024Solicitor asks gardaí if his client received a can of cider en route to garda station
Court report on the hearing. Heffernan pleaded not guilty; the judge found the State had proven its case but allowed a €100 poor box donation by May 24 in place of a conviction. Gardaí Klaric and McCarthy gave evidence for the prosecution. The article also gives Heffernan's previous convictions.
accused, James Heffernan, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Heffernan