Barred man hit bouncer's car

A PUBGOER picked up a beer keg and threw it at a car belonging to one of the doormen after he was asked to leave the pub, a court heard.

Darren Barnes (21) smashed the window of the green Opel Vectra, causing €150 damage.

A judge struck out the charge after Barnes paid compensation to the doorman, and donated €300 to Blanchardstown Hospice.

Barnes, of Finglas Wood Road in Finglas, admitted before Blanchardstown District Court to a charge of criminal damage in the car park at the Full Shilling pub, Main Street, Finglas, on September 4 last.

Garda Sergeant Maria Callaghan said security staff had asked Barnes to leave the pub but refused. He picked up the beer keg and threw it at the Vectra.

Judge's fury at translator sham

A JUDGE has said taxpayers must not foot the bill for the cost of court interpreters who are hired unnecessarily when foreign nationals in criminal cases can speak adequate English.

Judge Catherine Murphy said she was "very, very concerned" at the cost.

She was commenting following a hearing at the Dublin District Court in which she stated that a Mandarin language interpreter who had been present throughout proceedings was not needed.

Xing Lei Li, a Chinese national living in Ireland for 10 years, was cleared of burglary, but was able to give her own evidence.

"The taxpayer at the moment does not have money to waste on unnecessary interpreters under free legal aid," the judge said. She demanded to know the cost of the translator.

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