'Go back to ChatGPT to get a better reference than that', judge tells man 

A judge told a man that he had better “go back to ChatGPT to get a better reference than that” after being presented with what he considered an unconvincing character reference compiled by AI.

A judge told a man that he had better “go back to ChatGPT to get a better reference than that” after being presented with what he considered an unconvincing character reference compiled by AI.

Judge Andrew Cody made the remark at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court earlier this month when solicitor Barry Fitzgerald handed in a reference letter from his client’s employer in mitigation.

Having read the document, Judge Cody appeared unimpressed with its contents and quipped that the defendant “better go back to ChatGPT to get a better reference than that.” 

The reference had been submitted on behalf of Jonathan Fulham (37), Droughill, Portarlington, Co Laois. 

He was before the court charged with the non-display of a certificate of roadworthiness (CRW) on his vehicle, driving without insurance and to failing to provide documents on December 15 last year at Droughill, Portarlington.

“He has a letter from his employer, who describes him as a good and trusting employee,” said Mr Fitzgerald.

He said that his client accepts that he was driving without insurance on the day. 

However, he said that Mr Fulham normally drives a work van that is insured but, on the day, there was an issue with it.

Reading a snippet from the reference letter, Judge Cody said it read: “I’m willing to give him employment…” 

“He was either working at the time or he wasn’t,” said the Judge. 

“Whoever wrote this should go back to ChatGPT to get a better reference than that. Someone put it into ChatGPT and turned out this nonsense.” Garda Sgt Kirby said Mr Fulham has no previous convictions.

Judge Cody convicted the defendant of driving without insurance, fined him €500 and disqualified him from driving for two years. 

For the non-display of a CRW certificate, he was fined €200. 

Failing to provide documents was taken into consideration.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.

• Laois Nationalist