Cork man convicted of drunken incident 'putting himself in prison' over refusal to pay fines

Defence solicitor told court the 29-year-old had given him very clear instructions that he did not want to do community service or pay fines and he would take a prison sentence

Accused refused to pay fines or do community service and was opting for the third choice provided for in legislation — a prison sentence, court told.

A judge said she did not want to jail a man for failing to pay fines as the prisons were full, but she said he effectively sent himself to jail.

Judge Mary Dorgan said she would put the matter back to enable Ciaran O’Shea, of 111 St Colman’s Road, Farranree, Cork, to save up to start paying his fines.