A famous Irish actor appeared before Carndonagh District Court yesterday on foot of a bench warrant.
Gerard McSorly was due before Dungloe District Court last Tuesday charged with criminal damage, however the former ‘Fr. Ted’, ‘Braveheart’ and ‘Veronica Guerin’ star did not appear before the court.
McSorely, who is originally from Omagh in Co. Tyrone, now has an address of 1 Cúl na Toinne, Magherclogher, Bunbeg, is accused of damaging two flower pots outside Bank of Ireland in Bunbeg, with intent to cause damage or be reckless, on June 16.
However he failed to appear before Dungloe Court to answer the charge on July 12, forcing the court to order and arrest warrant to bring him before the court.
Garda McBride from Letterkenny Garda Station told the court he saw Mr. McSorley at the Ramelton Road in Letterkenny so he stopped and issued him when the bench warrant and brought him to the current court sitting in Carn that afternoon.
Garda McBride said he had no objections to bail.
When asked in Carndonagh Court yesterday by Judge Paul Kelly why he failed to appear, Mr. McSorley said he was ‘not aware’ that he was required to attend.
Judge Kelly also asked the 66-year-old if he was okay, to which Mr. McSorley answered that he had a ‘very painful knee’.
Judge Kelly granted him free legal aid, appointing defence solicitor Jacqui Sharkey, who McSorley said ‘was his neighbour’, to represent him.
Judge Kelly remanded the actor on his own bail bond of €100 and adjourned the case until September 13 at Dungloe District Court.