Naas Judge says 'I don't accept this language nonsense' when a person fails to appear

A Naas Judge says he will not accept 'language barriers' as an excuse for not turning up to court when ordered.

Evidence was heard on Thursday, how a man arrested for drink driving, at College Farm, Newbridge, on May 13, 2018, did not appear in court, as ordered.

Garda evidence outlined that when he was arrested, his response to the charge was, 'I said to the Judge I don't understand any English, I got an answer from the Judge but I did not understand it.'

Addressing the accused on Thursday, Judge Desmond Zaidan asked him how long he has been in Ireland to which his  interpreter, translating for him to Polish,  responded to the Judge, 'he is over a year in Ireland.'

He said: "I don't accept this language nonsense."

Judge Zaidan said: "I don't like when people play the language card. He would have been given a bail bond with paper and the next court date written on it. The amount of times I say is there any language barriers, I was waiting for the likes of him to rely on the language card. Hear no evil, see no evil."

Judge Zaidan ordered that the accused, who will be represented by Defence Solicitor, Conal Boyce, appear before Naas District Court, on October 18, next.

A Polish translator has been appointed. He was released on his own bond of €200.