Jailhouse rock nearly puts Elvis fan inside

A JAILHOUSE rock mobile-phone ring tone yesterday nearly led to an Elvis fan getting a sample of the real thing.

When his case was called at Limerick District court, his phone rang. Appearing a “bit under the weather”, his efforts to silence the King of Rock were met with difficulty, much to the amusement of many in the public gallery.

The Elvis interlude prompted Judge Gerard Haughton to issue a warning that defendants must turn up in court in a fit state or risk being put in jail.

Solicitor Ted McCarthy asked that the case be put back to later in the day as his client was not in a fit state to give him instructions.

With Jailhouse Rock ringing through the courtroom, the defendant made several attempts to shut off his phone before he was removed from the courtroom.

He was facing charges of being intoxicated in a public place and was waiting for his case to be called when his phone rang.

When his case was called, solicitor Ted McCarthy sought an adjournment as he said he was unable to get instruction from his client due to the state he was in.

Judge Gerard Haughton said had he known the state of the defendant he would have remanded him in custody so he would be in a fit state to attend the court.