Colour of man’s beard debated during Kildare courtroom hearing

In an unusual development at Naas District Court, the colour of a man’s beard was called into question during a court session.

The questioning was heard during a case on Thursday, May 11, involving John Coyne (Junior), with an address listed as 23 Grove Heights in Robertstown, but who is currently serving a custodial sentence for a different offence.

Although the 30-year-old pleaded not guilty in the case, he was ultimately convicted for three counts of dangerous driving at the Ruanbeg Avenue estate in Kildare town on March 18, 2021, during which time it was heard that he was banned from driving.

A garda said he spotted Mr Coyne and another male in the car engage in dangerous driving in the early hours of March 18.

This garda proceeded to give chase, but chose to call it off 'in the interest of public safety.'

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He did however manage to take down the plate number on the car.

The garda also said that Mr Coyne passed a garda van at one point, and this garda also gave testimony that he saw Mr Coyne drive the car on the night in question.

A friend of Mr Coyne’s also testified that he took her car for the purpose of dropping it off to a mechanic for her.

Although the first garda said that the friend made an admission that it was Mr Coyne who was driving the car on the night, she denied every making such a statement.

Defending solicitor Tim Kennelly questioned how both gardaí were so certain that the driver was his client, and added that one of them said the driver had a brown beard, but pointed out that Mr Coyne has a red beard, which prompted Mr Coyne to interject: "That’s the truth."

However, both gardaí reiterated their belief that Mr Coyne was the driver of the car.

Mr Kennelly told the judge that his client is an ‘earnest’ man, one who has ‘always put his hands up whenever he was in the wrong.'

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Mr Kennelly also took issue with the apparent lack of forensic investigation involved in te case, which he said 'could have put all of this to bed.'

Considering the different testimonies before him, Judge Desmond Zaidan said while any doubts 'must be based in substance', he nevertheless added that the court could draw 'reasonable inferences' from the information, and concluded that he was ultimately satisfied with the State’s case.

He imposed a 15 month custodial sentence on Mr Coyne (five months for each count of dangerous driving), in addition to a six-year driving disqualification.

Commenting on the case, Judge Zaidan said that Mr Coyne had 'shown no remorse' for his actions.

He added: "It was an appalling way to drive," which prompted Mr Coyne to once more insist that he was not the driver on the night in question.