Today's Terrible Judge: Monika Leech

A JUDGE, Monika Leech, imposed reporting restrictions preventing the media from naming a man accused of attempted kidnapping of a toddler in #Dublin due to “heightened” social media activity.

#Gardaí responded to an incident in the north inner city on Thursday just after midday, arrested a man, 26, and brought him to #StoreStreet station.

The accused, who is from Eastern Europe and has an address outside Dublin in #Leinster, was charged that without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, he intentionally attempted “to take a child under the age of 16 years” from the control of a named person.

The child has the automatic right to anonymity because of the mandatory reporting restrictions in the Children Act.

The man was held in the station overnight and appeared before Judge Monika Leech at Dublin District Court today.

In evidence, Garda Sergeant William Godfrey told the court he arrested the man under section 17 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act at 12.06 pm on Thursday.

He said the accused was detained in the station, “interviewed in relation to the offence”, and charged shortly after 10.15 last night.

Garda Sergeant Godfrey said he “was handed a true copy of the charge and made no reply to the charge”.

He added that there was an application to remand the man in custody.

The judge noted that an interpreter was assisting the accused, who did not address the court.

His defence barrister confirmed that he was not applying for bail.

Sources:

The Journal, "Reporting Restrictions", https://www.thejournal.ie/reporting-restrictions-and-psychiatric-report-man-charged-attempted-kidnapping-toddler-6370808-May2024/

Law Society Gazette, "Seven Solicitors", https://www.lawsociety.ie/gazette/top-stories/2023/july/seven-solicitors-for-bench-out-of-total-of-ten-nominees

#wigwatch #monikaleech #dublintourism #dublinireland #dublincity #crimewave #irishfreedomparty #todaysterriblejudge #viralshorts #shortsviral #viralshort