Kildare court defendant apologises over comment made to garda

A defendant who was reprimanded by a Garda Sergeant at Naas District Court on Thursday, September 21 last for a comment he made apologised to the court.

Sgt Brian Jacob called out a comment made by David Naughton, of 3 O’Higgins Terrace in the Curragh Camp, County Kildare.

The court was told back in July that the 47-year-old had laundered around €4,060 in County Kildare on June 27, 2022.

It was also heard that Mr Naughton was charged with being in possession of cocaine for sale or supply in at his home on July 11, 2022.

This alleged offence would be in contravention of Section 3 and Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977.

Sgt Jacob pointed out to Judge Desmond Zaidan that once a book of service was served on the defendant by gardaí, Mr Naughton remarked to the garda: "Guard, guard, can I wipe my arse with this?"; likely referring to a court document.

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'INAPPROPRIATE AND WRONG'

"I want to address the court: she (the garda who served the book of evidence) should not have been spoken to in that way, it was inappropriate and wrong."

After Judge Zaidan asked Sgt Jacob to tell Mr Naughton’s barrister, Sarah Connolly, what happened, he briefly adjourned the case.

When the case resumed, Ms Connolly said that her client wished to apologise, and claimed that her client struggles with Attention Deficit Disorder (better known as ADD).

However, she claimed that Sgt Jacob 'made it sound like it was a personal comment.'

She added: "I agree though, it’s not appropriate to say, to anyone."

Mr Naughton then apologised to the judge for his comment.

The case against Mr Naughton will resume at the next sittings of Naas Circuit Criminal Court, which will commence on October 3.