Letterkenny Courthouse.
A MAN who lied about being at the wake of a tragic Ardara teenager, the same night he crashed into a neighbour’s car, was convicted of the offence at Friday’s sitting of the District Court.
John Porter (34) of 53 Abbey Park, Manorcunningham, had pleaded not guilty to a charge of causing criminal damage to his neighbour, Dilaver Elahi’s, car at the same address in the early hours of Saturday, January 21, 2012.
Porter claimed his car was stolen on the day in question and, as a result, he was forced to thumb a lift to Ardara, so that he could attend the wake of 16-year-old Martina Maguire.
Both his parents, who live in Ardara, also gave evidence that Porter “may” have stayed in their house while the offences took place. His mother told the court that she was a florist and had made floral displays for the wake.
The popular teenager had passed away at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Dublin, after losing her battle with cancer on the previous day – Friday, January 20.
However, Judge Kelly pointed out that, according to her death notice, Ms Maguire’s remains did not leave a funeral home in Navan, County Meath, until 2:30 pm on Saturday June 21.
As a result, Judge Kelly said, Porter could not have been attending the wake of the girl as the offence had taken place while her remains were still in another county.
For full report, see this Monday’s print edition of the Donegal News.
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