Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6148Road Traffic Act offences (failing to give details to gardaí; not keeping car stationary) · Co. Dublin

Man charged with Road Traffic Act offences granted bail at Cloverhill court

Joseph Davis, a 51-year-old man from Ashington Mews, Dublin 7, was charged with Road Traffic Act offences of failing to give gardaí his details and not keeping his car stationary over an alleged incident on a Friday at Dunsink Drive in Finglas. The case arose during a traffic stop arrest after his emotional support cat went missing. He appeared before Judge Marie Quirke at a weekend sitting of Dublin District Court on Sunday 7 April 2024, where he entered naked, and he has yet to plead to the charges. On 9 April 2024 Judge John O'Leary granted him bail by video link at Cloverhill District Court, and he is next due at Blanchardstown District Court on 24 April to enter a plea.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court7 Apr
    3 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Joseph Davis, 51, of Ashington Mews, Dublin 7, was charged with Road Traffic Act offences after his emotional support cat went missing during a traffic stop arrest.
Where
The alleged incident took place at Dunsink Drive in Finglas, Dublin.
When
The alleged incident happened on a Friday, and the first court appearance was on Sunday 7 April 2024.
Cause
The case arose during a traffic stop arrest, when Mr Davis's emotional support cat went missing.
Charges
  • Mr Davis was charged with failing to give gardaí his details and not keeping his car stationary.
  • He made no reply to the charge at Finglas station, where he was offered bail but refused to sign his bond.
In court
  • At the weekend sitting, Judge Marie Quirke heard that he refused to wear clothes and entered the courtroom naked with his hands over his genitals.
  • Sources differ on bail: one reports a remand in custody with consent to €200 bail, another reports gardaí sought a €100 cash lodgement, and a further report says a €300 bond was set.
  • On 9 April 2024 Judge John O'Leary granted Mr Davis bail by video link at Cloverhill District Court, with no objection to bail, and ordered him to keep the peace.
  • He is next due to appear at Blanchardstown District Court on 24 April to enter a plea.
Investigation
Judge Quirke asked gardaí to find out what happened to his cat, Oliver, and directed medical attention for Mr Davis, who was seen by a doctor at the Garda station.
Other details
Mr Davis has yet to plead to the charges.
29 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA Dublin man appeared in court naked after his emotional support cat went missing during a traffic stop arrest. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatJoseph Davis, 51, appeared before Judge Marie Quirke at a weekend sitting of Dublin District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe alleged incident was at Dunsink Drive in Finglas. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe alleged incident took place at Dunsink Drive in Finglas. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe alleged incident happened at Dunsink Drive in Finglas. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe alleged incident happened on a Friday. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe cat went missing during a traffic stop arrest. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe case arose during a traffic stop arrest, after his emotional support cat went missing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe judge asked gardaí to find out what happened to his cat. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationMr Davis made no reply to the charge at Finglas station, where he was offered bail but refused to sign his bond. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe judge asked gardaí to find out what happened to his cat, Oliver. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeJoseph Davis was charged with Road Traffic Act offences of failing to give gardaí his details and not keeping his car stationary. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMr Davis was charged with Road Traffic Act offences of failing to give gardaí his details and not keeping the car stationary. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeDavis has been charged with Road Traffic Act offences of failing to give gardaí his details and not keeping the car stationary. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJoseph Davis appeared before Judge Marie Quirke at a weekend sitting of Dublin District Court on a Sunday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Davis refused to wear clothes when brought to the courthouse. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Davis entered the courtroom naked with his hands over his genitals. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Davis has yet to plead to the charges and will appear at Cloverhill District Court on Tuesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtGardaí sought a €100 cash lodgement, and there was no objection to bail. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMr Davis will appear at Cloverhill District Court on Tuesday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtDavis appeared before Judge John O’Leary at Cloverhill District Court via video link. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtDavis had earlier appeared naked at a weekend sitting of Dublin District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge O’Leary granted Davis bail on a bond of €300. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtDavis will next appear at Blanchardstown District Court on 24 April to enter a plea. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge remanded Mr Davis in custody with consent to €200 bail. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • otherA doctor attended Mr Davis in the Garda station and gave him advice. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge directed medical attention for Mr Davis. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMr Davis has yet to plead to the charges. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThere were no objections to bail and Davis was ordered to keep the peace. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Apr2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Bail for man who appeared in court nude after emotional support cat went missing

    Court appearance by video link on 9 April 2024 where Davis was granted bail; the article also covers an earlier weekend court appearance, the charges and the next court date.

    accused, Joseph Davis, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Davis
  2. 7 Apr2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Revealed: The case of the nude man in court, a missing cat and the traffic stop

    Adds the court appearance at a weekend sitting, where Mr Davis appeared without clothes, the charges, the remand and bail, and that his emotional support cat went missing during the traffic stop.

    accused, Joseph Davis, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Davis
  3. 7 Apr2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Man appears in court naked in protest at loss of ‘emotional support’ cat during arrest

    First report of the case. Covers the court appearance, the charges, the remand and the accused's demand for his missing cat.

    accused, Joseph Davis, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Davis