Limerick criminal jailed after curfew breached
Sentencing John Dundon to six months and banning him from driving for four years, Judge Tom O’Donnell said the accused had breached a bail curfew “before the ink was dry” on the bail bond.
Dundon, 29, of Hyde Road, Ballinacurra Weston, pleaded guilty to a breach of public order in which he threatened a garda; to driving under the influence of a drug and to 10 charges of failing to produce insurance and driving licence.
Dundon has been in custody since last Sunday after a special sitting of the district court revoked bail after the court was told he had breached a 11pm-8am curfew.
Dundon has numerous convictions, including one of threatening a key witness in the murder trial of Limerick crime boss, Kieran Keane in 2003.
Insp Pat Connolly told yesterday’s hearing that the public order offence arose out of incidents on October 13, 2008, when Dundon was seen by Garda Niall O’Connor drinking at Delmege Park, Moyross, at 1.30am. He was later seen driving at Pineview Gardens, Moyross, and stopped. He became abusive to Garda O’Connor telling him: “Back in 2001 before I got jail I would have skated you across the field, you little muppet.”
Insp Connolly said Dundon got bail at the district court last Wednesday on a number of the charges before the court, but later that day he breached the curfew imposed as one of the conditions of the bail.
There were seven further breaches of the curfew before Dundon was brought back to the court on Sunday when bail was revoked.
Judge O’Donnell said: “It is manifestly clear he has no regard for the road traffic laws.”
Sarah Ryan, solicitor for Dundon, said that some people breach bail and are not picked up as quickly as had happened in this case.
Judge O’Donnell disagreed that Dundon had been penalised by having his bail revoked.
Recognisances in the event of an appeal were fixed on Dundon’s own bond of €250 and an independent cash bond of €2,500.
