Man tells Judge he couldn’t attend court due to series of funerals

A judge would love to know how many funerals a man attended over the last 14 years, given that when he was supposed to be in court he claimed to be attending funerals in his native Romania.

Judge Mary Fahy calculated that during her 14 years on the bench in Galway, Robert Samu – who has 33 previous convictions – had spent 99% of that time in Romania.

Samu (48), with an address at 33 Fana Glas, Ballybane, appeared in custody before Galway District Court last week on foot of four bench warrants which had been issued separately for his arrest.

Garda Damien Gormally gave evidence he was aware Samu would be attending the court that morning to answer a theft charge and he arrested him at the Courthouse on foot of a bench warrant issued by Blanchardstown District Court when Samu failed to appear before that court in July.

Garda Gormally said he had three other Galway bench warrants to execute against Samu, which had been issued under the Fines Act for non-payment of fines.

He said Samu had now paid the fines in full.

Judge Fahy remanded Samu on bail to appear before the court in Blanchardstown this Friday.  She then struck out the charges for non- payment of three fines, on hearing they had all now been paid.

The judge then turned her attention to the theft matter before the court.

Samu had pleaded guilty in July to the theft of €70 worth of engine oil from Calbro Motor Factors on the Tuam Road on March 24 last year.

The court heard at the time that he had 33 previous convictions, including some for other thefts.  Judge Fahy decided to have him assessed for community service in lieu of a prison sentence.

He was assessed by a probation officer in court and deemed to be a suitable candidate.

The judge then directed he carry out 140 hours’ community service in lieu of a five-month prison sentence.

Judge Fahy observed that a probation report handed into court this week in relation to Samu was not favourable.

Defence solicitor, Olivia Traynor said her client’s instructions to her were that both of his uncles had passed away and he had contacted the probation service.  She said she had explained to Samu at his last court appearance that it was his job to chase the probation service (about doing the community service) and not the other way around.

“He has 33 previous convictions and most of the time, when his cases are called in this court – and I’m here for 14 years – most of the time, 99% of the time, he is in Romania.

“This court is skirting around, trying to fit in what suits him and he thinks the probation officers should be doing the same now,” Judge Fahy said.

According to the report, which the judge read alound in court, Samu was in Romania every time an appointment was made for him on four different dates in July and August.

“This man has 33 previous convictions and this court has bent over backwards to suit him and he now expects that from every other service.  I’m afraid his luck has run out,” Judge Fahy said.

“In the last 14 years, I would like to know how many funerals he has been been to in Romania because he seems to be there a lot.

“The man has been making a fool out of the court for years,” Judge Fahy added before imposing the five-month sentence.

“He should have been thankful and grateful that the court gave him so many chances and that I even considered giving him community service given his 33 previous convictions,” the judge reasoned.  Leave to appeal the sentence was granted.