I learned something new today. When you are summonsed to appear in court in Ireland you address the magistrate as 'Judge' rather than 'Your Honour'.

Lucky for me then that I found this out before my appearance in the district court this morning. I could have looked most unsophisticated otherwise.

Anyways, I managed to get myself summonsed to the district court by The State Solicitor on behalf of An Post who wanted to prosecute me for having no TV licence. I answered the door to an An Post TV Licence Inspector last November, shortly after moving into a new house. Days later one of my housemates purchased the TV Licence in his name. Whoever designed their TV Licencing Database (was it those guys who did PPARS I wonder?) must have overlooked a facility to search by address.

I'd never been in court before, it was an interesting distraction for the hour that I was there. Judging must be a great racket to be in these days, the Judge had so many customers! Some of them were wearing really over the top heavy, silver jewellery and others had even managed to get their heavy silver jewellery entagled around the wrists of the nice Gardai who were accompanying them on their visit to the Judge.

For my troubles I got to say 'Not Guilty' which is great (feels like being in the movies) and watch the poor man from An Post withdraw his action against me while sworn in on the witness stand. Then the judge waved his hand in my direction and said "Struck Out" so I thought I'd better leave him to get on with his numerous other customers for the day.

Published by Colm.