Defendant without solicitor tells court he will ‘look it up on AI’
The case was heard at Castlebar District Court.
A man was almost the subject of a bench warrant after failing to appear on time at Castlebar District Court.
John Joe Hopkins, 61 Rowan Drive, Castlebar, faces charges of criminal damage and burglary following incidents on April 12, 2024. The charges relate to the Mayo Co Council yard on Kilmaine Road, Ballinrobe; Cornmarket, Ballinrobe; and the HSE centre, also on Kilmaine Road, Ballinrobe.
When the case was first called, Hopkins was not present and Gda Sgt Fiona Farrell sought a bench warrant.
Hopkins arrived shortly afterwards. Asked by Judge Vincent Deane what had made him so late, he said the bus from Swinford had been delayed.
The court heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions had consented to Hopkins being sent forward on a signed plea. His solicitor, Cathy McDarby, was not present due to the ongoing legal aid strike.
Judge Deane explained the options directly to Hopkins: if his solicitor wished to proceed by way of signed plea, she could write to the state solicitor; otherwise, he would receive a book of evidence and the case would go to the Circuit Court.
The judge stressed he was not Hopkins' solicitor and did not want Ms McDarby to think he was offering legal advice. Hopkins replied that he would "look it up on AI anyway".
- Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
