YESTERDAY in the Southern Police Court, Dublin before Mr Swifte, RM, Surgeon McArdle, 72 Merrion Square, was summoned ‘for causing petrol to be used for a purpose not authorised by the Petrol Order Regulations, by driving in his car at Ballitore to a cock-fight on 28th May 1918.
Simon Redmond, his chauffeur, was summoned for driving the car to the cock-fight at Ballitore, County Kildare on the same date.
Sergeant Doran, RIC, Kilcullen, County Kildare said that about five o’clock in the morning of the 28th May he stopped Redmond who was driving the car at Kilrush, near Ballitore. He produced his licence and also a petrol permit issued to Surgeon McArdle.
Redmond said the car was the surgeon’s and he had driven it to a cockfight. He did not say it was Surgeon McArdle who had driven but, from inquiry, witness ascertained that the surgeon was present at the cock-fight.
Mr Davis – I don’t see anything in the regulations that would allow even an eminent surgeon to use petrol to go to a cock-fight in his motorcar. (Laughter.)
In reply to Mr Byrne (defending), witness said he was present at the cock-fight which he allowed to proceed as he could not stop it.
Mr Byrne – Which cock won? – The Carlow team beat the Northern team.
Mr Byrne – Well, it is something to see that the South can beat the North even at a cockfight!
Inspector Freeman stated that he saw the defendant (Redmond) when he said that ‘he drove the car from Dublin’ and Surgeon McArdle was in it.
The surgeon later told him: ‘My motorcar was the only car at the cock-fight.’
Mr Byrne contended that there was no evidence to show that either the chauffeur or Surgeon McArdle was at the cock-fight. In fact, the surgeon was engaged in a consultation in County Kildare on that day. He was unable to attend the court owing to professional engagements.
Mr Swifte, RM said he would adjourn the case for the attendance of Surgeon McArdle. However, Mr Byrne repeated that there was no evidence to show that his client was at the cock-fight. He said he would leave the matter in the Resident Magistrate’s hands.
Mr Swifte then imposed a fine of three pounds on Surgeon McArdle and two pounds on his chauffeur.
