By KATHRYN HAYES
A JUDGE who threatened to jail two graffiti artists who defaced properties in Limerick city, including the Frank McCourt museum has insisted his court will not be “pilloried” or influenced by political comment.
Judge Eugene O’Kelly made his remarks at Limerick District Court where he previously warned two teenagers they faced up to five months in prison unless they took part in a €4,500 clean up operation at the museum.
Jonathan Noonan (19) of Upper Cecil Street, Limerick and Ruairi Fogarty (19) of Drominbeg Rhebogue, Limerick are charged with defacing a number of properties in Limerick including the Frank McCourt Museum which depicts the early life of the family of the Pulitzer prize-winning novelist.
After entering guilty pleas, both men gave an undertaking to clean up the historic building ahead of international celebrations which took place at the museum recently to mark the Irish premiere of ‘Angelas Ashes, A Musical’.
Speaking at one these functions Labour Councillor Tom Shortt who was deputising as Mayor called on Una Heaton the Director of the Frank McCourt museum to adopt the ‘compassionate’ nature of the famous author when she presented a progress report to court on the graffiti artists ordered to clean up her building.
“I hope that Una’s further intervention in this case will be in the spirit of Frank McCourt,” he said, adding that her report “will have a huge bearing on whether they go to prison or not.”
When the case was called last Wednesday Judge O’Kelly said it was not the function of the court to get involved in the public life of Limerick city but said he regretted Ms Heaton was subjected to remarks from people “who were not present in court”.
Ms Heaton he continued did not criminalise the young men adding, “their own actions is what criminalised them”.
Praising the director of the Frank McCourt museum for her courage when she previously gave evidence to the court about the damage caused, he said he welcomed her intervention which he said, offered a practical solution concerning the participation in the clean up operation, which meant the young men could avoid a custodial sentence.
Judge O’Kelly insisted Ms Heaton and his court would not be pilloried by others who “hold a different view of matters and who were not present in court”.
He said the matter was sub judice and should not be the subject of comment by politicians adding:
“This court is not going to be influenced by remarks made by politicians or anyone else.”
Judge O’Kelly said he was satisfied the progress reports were positive and adjourned the case until October 2 next.
