Judge warns Longford man: ‘smile could be wasted in custody’

After missing a court appointment because of dental treatment in Turkey, Francis Gavin was warned about not complying with the directions of the court.

Mr Gavin (35) with a charge sheet address of 8 Parlickstow Gardens, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15 and 3 Canal court, was before judge Bernadette Owens on 12 charges. The defendant faced theft charges in respect of robberies between November 2019 and February 2022.

The defendant stole property including a high end hairdryer (€240), four sets of duvet covers valued at €299.96, Lego (€139.99, €99.99 and €169.99), face cream worth €230, perfumes costing €179 from businesses in Longford and Mullingar.

At the previous week's sitting solicitor Frank Gearty said his client was unable to attend court as he had travelled to Turkey for a dental procedure.

At the time Judge Owens said the defendant would “have a lot of explaining to do” particularly in regard to missing urine analysis.

When the matter returned before the court Mr Gearty said of his client's dental work: “Judge, they are spectacular. I haven't seen such white teeth since I left Hollywood.”

Mr Gearty explained it was not simply a cosmetic procedure as his client has experienced “a lot of trouble with his teeth”. The solicitor said that in a bid to alleviate the defendant's pain, Mr Gavin's family had financially helped him to pay for the Turkey treatment.

“What about compensation for the injured party?” Judge Owens queried, “Your smile could be wasted in custody.”

The judge also questioned missing urine analysis. Mr Gavin maintained he undertook the drug tests but the results “got lost” in the labs in Mullingar, “I am drug free,” he stated.

Mr Gearty said the defendant has attended Cluain Mhuire treatment centre, pointing out there was “no repetition of the original criminality”. The solicitor said, “Whenever he takes drugs he reverts to the behaviour that brings him before this court.”

Mr Gearty said his client is training as a barber and will make his €500 bail money available as compensation to the injured parties. The defendant also had €300 in court to be paid in compensation.

Judge Owens said she would give Mr Gavin an opportunity to make another compensation payment and supply the court with urine tests: “I want constant urine analysis and compensation when this matter comes back before court on April 18. We will see how you get on with that.”

The judge gave gardaí liberty to re-enter the matters.