Court is not a public relations firm, judge warns man
The man appeared before Portlaoise District Court
A judge warned a defendant that a court “is not a PR firm” after he complained about a previous report.
Audi Murphy, 42, of 4 Derrymore, Portarlington appeared in court charged with the robbery of a bicycle wheel at Main Street, Portarlington on February 10, 2023.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court that there was now a direction of “no prosecution” in relation to the matter.
The defendant then approached the press bench and stated that previous publicity had resulted in online chatter and “derogatory comments” in relation to the matter.
Judge Nicola Andrews warned the defendant that his comments were to be directed to the judge. She said people were entitled to be present in court.
“The case is being struck out,” she reminded him.
“This is a court not a PR firm,” Judge Andrews told the defendant as she struck the case out.