Jailed man muted in court after tirade of interruptions - Donegal News

Jailed criminal Seamus Cooley muted by Letterkenny District Court

A DONEGAL man already serving four years in prison launched a series of outbursts and corruption allegations from his jail dock as he appeared before Letterkenny District Court on separate assault charges.

Seamus Cooley (51) appeared by video link from Castlerea Prison, where he is already serving time for an unprovoked attack in 2017, on an 18 year-old Letterkenny woman. But it was his behaviour in the video-link dock that drew attention on Monday.

From the moment his case was called, Cooley made it clear he would run things his own way.

When barrister Senan Crawford rose to speak on his behalf, Cooley cut him off. “You’re not representing me,” he shouted.

He threatened to report the barrister to the Law Society and insisted on addressing Judge Emile Daly directly. When warned he would be muted if he didn’t stop, he carried on regardless until he was cut off.

The case was let stand for two hours as the court took back control. If anyone expected the break to bring a change of approach, they were mistaken.

Cooley returned in the same combative mood, immediately demanding to know why he had been silenced in the morning session. He alleged “corruption” in the Donegal courts and when Judge Daly simply asked whether he wished to plead guilty or seek a hearing date, he talked over her again, insisting he had things to say.

Judge Daly told him the matter would be put back a week for him to consider his position. His feed was muted a second time, and the defendant could be still seen speaking, perhaps unaware that he had been silenced.

Cooley is charged with assaulting a Garda at St Jude’s Court, Lifford, on May 23, 2023. On the same date he is accused of assaulting a man in Murlog, Lifford.

In addition he is charged with assault at the Angling Centre, Cahir O’Doherty Avenue, Buncrana, on April 20, 2024, along with threatening and abusive behaviour at the same address and on the same date.

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