Cork man accused of hunting without permission collapses in court

The defendant collapsed after the judge told him the charge was very serious as he was on two suspended sentences at the time

The incident happened recently at the courthouse in Macroom. File picture: Dan Linehan

A Cork man facing a number of charges relating to allegedly hunting with dogs without the landowner’s permission, as well as taking a vehicle without permission, collapsed when he appeared at a recent sitting of Macroom District Court.

DJ O’Driscoll, aged 28, of Lower Codrum, Macroom, Co Cork, faced one charge of taking a vehicle without the owner’s permission, but the injured party — his mother — withdrew the charge. 

Court presenter Sergeant Trish O’Sullivan said O’Driscoll was also charged with unlawful hunting or entry on land and failing to keep a dog under control in public. The hunting charges related to an incident at Wood Road, Carriganine, Co. Cork on July 23, 2024. 

The court heard that at 3.30pm gardaí had received a call from a landowner about three males with dogs trespassing on land in the area. When gardaí were travelling to the scene they met DJ O’Driscoll on the public road with a lurcher dog that was not under control.

Defence solicitor, Patrick Goold, said O’Driscoll had permission from one landowner to hunt but not from the neighbouring landowner and his dog had strayed onto the neighbouring land and he had gone after it. 

The landowner told gardaí that O’Driscoll and two other males had been on the land without permission.

The court heard that O’Driscoll had 64 previous convictions including one for failing to control a dog and one for having no dog licence. At the time of the incident O’Driscoll was on two suspended sentences, one for theft and one for violent disorder. 

Mr Goold said O’Driscoll’s issues all related to “huge” addiction and alcohol issues that he was now dealing with, adding that his client was “off the drink” and engaging with treatment services.

Judge Joanne Carroll said it was one thing “if a young fella is out and goes after a dog”, but another if there are three men on land without permission which could be “quite intimidating”. 

Addressing O’Driscoll she said it was very serious as he was on two suspended sentences at the time. O’Driscoll who was standing before the judge then suddenly collapsed in court and had to be given medical assistance and was removed from the building. 

Judge Carroll asked for a probation report to be prepared and adjourned to matter to November 5, 2025.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.