A judge has jailed a young man for two months for what he described as a “serious, blatant and pre-meditated” contempt of court.
Darragh O’Connor, of Deer Mount, Deerpark, Cork, went on holiday to Ayia Napa and failed to return to Dublin to give evidence in a criminal trial.
On May 13th, Daragh O’Connor was served with a summons to give evidence in the trial of a teenage boy accused of producing a knife during a violent confrontation outside a house party in Cork city last year that led to the death of Cameron Blair, who was stabbed in the neck by another boy.
O’Connor made a 17-page statement to gardaí, during which he claimed he saw the accused with a butter knife – a claim the boy’s defence barrister wished to challenge
Despite being told about the consequences of not showing up, he decided to go to Cyprus on a pre-booked package holiday with friends instead.
The trial came to a halt and the charge was eventually dropped.
Today, Mr Justice David Keane said O’Connor was informed and reminded about his legal obligation, but still chose to prioritise a holiday over attending the trial.
Taking his age, apology and previous good character into account, he decided on a 2-month prison sentence.
*Reporting by Frank Greaney
