Solicitor leaves court in hysterics over ‘beauty contest’ quip

A solicitor who was asked by a judge to represent a man facing road traffic summonses had a court in hysterics when he asked: “If it’s a beauty contest, did I win the competition?”

Robert Marron delivered the comical remark at Thursday’s sitting of Mullingar District Court shortly after he had been requested by Judge Bernadette Owens to provide legal assistance to Ali Mohamed Abourezk, 17 Bundaire, Kinnegad, Westmeath.

Mr Abourezk had appeared a short time earlier to face two allegations of failing to produce a certificate of insurance and of driving without insurance on the N4 at Joanstown, Westmeath on July 2, 2025.

The accused informed the court he had no solicitor acting for him, something that led Judge Owens to humourously invite Mr Abourezk to “take his pick” from the “beauty competition” of solicitors who were present in court watching on.

Following that light-hearted moment, Judge Owens formally asked Mr Marron to stand in and take instructions from Mr Abourezk, leading him to quip: “If it’s a beauty contest, did I win the competition?”

When normal service was resumed and guilty pleas were entered to both summonses, Judge Owens fined Mr Abourezk €300 for no insurance and gave him five months to pay.

The accompanying failure to produce a certificate of insurance summons was taken into consideration.