Strike-out in Kildare court case involving alleged public disorder and dangerous driving

A Naas District Court case involving alleged public disorder and dangerous driving offences was struck out by Judge Desmond Zaidan on Thursday, September 12 last.

The case revolved around one Noel Caulfield, with an address listed as 3 Roebuck Castle in Clonskeagh, Dublin 14, County Dublin.

The 73-year-old previously appeared in Naas District Court back in September of 2023 in relation to the alleged incident.

It was alleged by gardaí that Mr Caulfield committed a public order offence, in addition to a dangerous driving offence, at Canning Place in Newbridge on December 29, 2018.

Mr Caulfield also claimed on this date that he is friends with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.

On the latest court date, Mr Caulfield once again represented himself, and the prosecuting garda told Judge Zaidan that an eyewitness in the case could not attend the court session.

Mr Caulfield told the judge: "He has had six years to get ready for this."

"Be patient with me," Judge Zaidan replied.

"I am being patient," Mr Caulfield said.

The judge told Mr Caulfield: "In the 1950s, there were probably eight cases a week in the District Court; now there are 1,000s."

"There is a better judge now," Mr Caulfield responded, which drew some laughter from Judge Zaidan and other court practitioners.

Judge Zaidan said that he would strike the case out 'for want of prosecution', but Mr Caulfield told the judge that he was dissatisfied with this decision, adding: "That's not the result I wanted."

"For your case, what this means is that I have gone the extra mile, I said I would strike it out for want of prosecution," the judge replied: "After that, if you want to talk [about your case further] to a lawyer, you can." 

Mr Caulfield said to the judge: "I understand... it's not the result I wanted, but thank you."