‘‘You're an absolute superstar, Judge!’’: Man thanks Kildare judge for sending him to Midlands Prison

"If only everyone was as nice to me as he is; my job would be so easy!"

That was the comment made by a pleasantly surprised Kildare judge at Naas District Court on Thursday, November 15 last, when he was repeatedly thanked by a man who genuinely wanted to go to the Midlands Prison.

The man appeared before Judge Desmond Zaidan on the date in question via video-link as he was remanded in a prison in County Dublin.

He was accused by gardaí of committing two public order offences.

When the judge appeared before him, the man told him: "Sorry, Judge, but can I get this matter dealt with today, please?"

Judge Zaidan then asked the man what he was in custody for, to which the man replied: "I don't know, Your Honour.

"I don't know why I'm in here but I'll plead guilty," he added.

When the case resumed after a brief adjourment, the man said to Judge Zaidan: "You're looking well Judge! How're you keeping?"

Judge Zaidan responded: "So are you, I'm doing good," and when he asked the man how he was, the man said: "My mother passed away a few weeks ago, my head is all over the place.

"Just lock me up and send me to the Midlands (prison)."

"I don't know what's going on, I just want to see my kids, my head isn't right," he added.

Judge Desmond Zaidan was praised by the man in the court case, who was in custody in a prison in County Dublin.

Shortly after the judge told the man that he was sorry to hear about his mother's passing, the man said: "They're driving me mad in here (it was unclear who he was referrring to by this)."

Judge Zaidan remarked to gardaí that the man may be under the influence.

When the judge asked the man how his children were, the man said: "My kids are grand, but my father isn't well.

"Please lock me up in the Midlands, please?" he asked.

Garda Sergeant David Hanrahan told Judge Zaidan that he was previously remanded in custody over a 'a very serious matter.'

In response, Judge Zaidan said: "He has been in there for a few weeks, so I will apply the Probation Act."

However, the man interjected when he heard this: "Please, just let me down to the Midlands, you will be doing me a favour."

Judge Zaidan told gardaí present in the court: "This guy needs help... when he is doing well, he is the nicest guy you are coming across."

Upon listening to the man's repeated pleas, he decided to impose a custodial sentence of three months on the man.

"Thank you Your Honour, you're an absolute gentleman," the man replied ecstatically: "I'll get to see my kids!

"In the Midlands, I'll be able to go to the gym and go to school, learn how to read and write."

Kildare primary schools to mark 50 years of Ireland’s efforts to tackle hunger and climate change

Kildare schools taking part in anti-bullying programme

"Is the sentence from today?" he asked, to which the judge replied that the sentence would be activated immediately.

In response, the man said: "You're an absolute superstar, God bless you, you're a decent man you are.

"I'll say a few prayers for you! Have a good day," the man told the judge.

"You too, look after yourself," Judge Zaidan replied.

"I hope you have a better day!" the man said.

Once the video-call came to an end, the judge jokingly remarked: "If only everyone was as nice to me as he is; my job would be so easy!"

Judge Zaidan also set appeal at €100.