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Irish judge appears before himself in court on driving charge

Kerry justice James O’Connor is both defendant and judge in bizarre case

By
JAMES O'SHEA,
IrishCentral Staff Writer
Published Friday, January 20, 2012, 7:14 AM
Updated Friday, January 20, 2012, 9:53 AM

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Judge with gavel - Irish judge managed to appear before themselves
Judge with gavel - Irish judge managed to appear before themselves
Photo by Google Images


A judge in County Kerry appeared before himself in Ireland yesterday on a driving charge.

District Court Judge James O’Connor was both judge and defendant in his own court in the town of Cahirsiveen.

He was charged with failing to display a valid roadworthy certificate on his vehicle.

He had received a summonses from police to appear in his own court.

The judge was named as James O'Connor of Coolroe, Glenbeigh, Co Kerry, and was  accused of committing the offence, which was contrary to Section 18 of the Road Traffic Act, at Newmarket Street, Cahersiveen, on July 21 last.

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 The car was ticketed outside his own courthouse when his court was in session.

Judge O’Connor decided to fight the charge which led to the court hearing.

Legal experts had never heard of a similar case, according to the Irish Independent.

Judge O’Connor presided as his attorney entered a not guilty plea and demanded that the police hand over all documents relating to the case.

The judge then  adjourned the case against himself until a  March 15 sitting of the court. He said a judge from Dublin would come down and hear the case.

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20 Comments

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JoeFerris | Jan 30, 2012, 05:27 PM EST
Nelson Mandela to VLPS Guestbook Monday 30th January 2012 "In Law and Philosophy, one asks, I think this quote by Nelson Mandella is appropriate to describe the behaviour of Judge 'himself' Judge James O'Connor:- 'Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?' (Who will guard the guardians themselves?) If the prefect does not obey the rules, how can the students be expected to obey? In effect the prefect was above the law because he was the law and one prefect was not supposed to report another." (page 47, Long Walk to Freedom, By Nelson Mandella, 1994). ]

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timmy45 | Jan 30, 2012, 02:48 AM EST
You ask , what do i think about this? my answer , the Jury is still out .

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PolinDeB | Jan 22, 2012, 08:30 PM EST
@noeldoyle Nah.. I reckon the Garda are immune to messing up the judges.. there's no link ..

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PolinDeB | Jan 22, 2012, 08:29 PM EST
I do like that this stuff still happens though ;0 a bit of life to the country in all the doom and gloom ;0

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Druidman | Jan 22, 2012, 08:16 PM EST
Ah Jaysus, I Love This! Watch this lad get off on a technicality. I mean it really is a forgone conclusion. I wish I had the odds with Paddy Power Bookmakers. Although, in retrospect, the lad who took a squad car over the border after being stopped by two idiot Garda (Police) in Balbriggan takes the Biscuit!

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gobdawpaddy | Jan 22, 2012, 07:35 AM EST
Annudder Gobdawpaddy tale. Couldn't make this stuff up.

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noeldoyle | Jan 20, 2012, 10:37 PM EST
The Cop was incredibly STUPID with no prospects of promotion.

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cillowen | Jan 20, 2012, 06:53 PM EST
did he use a mirror in the courtroom? - if not, he should have used a large one. These judges are brothers in arms playing games, without a care as to cost of such foolishness.

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greensod | Jan 20, 2012, 04:53 PM EST
So far looks like the law is being adhered too.

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dipsydolly | Jan 20, 2012, 04:22 PM EST
hee hee i'd hate to be the copper, fair play to the judge. looking forward to see how he comes out of it, might be something in there for all of us re; his demand that Gardai hand over all the documents relating to the case.

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sirpeter | Jan 20, 2012, 03:16 PM EST
I don't see what the problem is.The judge had to appear in that district courthouse.He pleaded not guilty which is his right but can't make a ruling on himself.As it happens he's the District Court Judge and he adjourned the case until a judge from Dublin comes down to hear the case.What's the problem??I bet a judge can park where he likes,just as cops don't have to ware sit belts.Now that it's in the system it has to be followed through probably.

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Brolaur | Jan 20, 2012, 03:01 PM EST
An Irish solution to an Irish question! I just love being Irish. There's no doubt that we have a great sense of humour. Yes that gárda should be packing his bags. Castlebeare here he comes!!

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Ms.Gail | Jan 20, 2012, 03:00 PM EST
It isn't as if he found himself Not Guilty, he just handled the paperwork for another judge to hear the case. He is entitled to enter a plea for himself same as anyone. Probably he could have arranged for someone else to handle the paperwork at considerable additional expense, sounds like he's just being realistic.

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mandrake | Jan 20, 2012, 01:11 PM EST
Ah mother Ireland we love you still

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biggles008 | Jan 20, 2012, 12:41 PM EST
What planet is kerry on.Is this O’Connor Judge an alien.

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