SENIOR OFFICIALS and members of New Ross Town Council and the Co. Council have been subpoenaed to appear at Wexford Circuit Court today, Wednesday, March 20, at 10.30 a.m.

Subpoenas were also issued to senior officials within the Department of Environment and Local Government.

They were issued by local man, Paddy Rochford, who is appealing a sentence handed down to him at Wexford District Court on June 12, last year.

Mr. Rochford was convicted of harassing the town Traffic Warden, Jim Redmond, and also of assault on New Ross Town Council senior staff member, John Moran.

At the outset of that case Mr. Rochford highlighted his wish to have the matter heard before a judge and jury. However, Judge Gerard Haughton said that was a matter for the DPP.

“This man, Jim Redmond, is not a traffic warden and that is a fact,” said the defendant at the time.

“Harassment is an indictable offence but only on the direction of the DPP,” replied the judge, before adding: “I have to hear the alleged facts.”

At the culmination of the case the judge imposed a fine of €500 plus expenses of €150 in relation to the assault charge.

On the harassment charge he sentenced Mr. Rochford to six months in prison but suspended the sentence on the defendant’s undertaking to enter a bond to keep the peace for 12 months.

Today’s appeal by Mr. Rochford is believed to be based on the severity of that sentence.