A case involving a representative from the Department of Social Welfare who, while conducting social welfare checks in a Ballina estate, was chased out of a house and criminal damage worth €1,380.76 was done to his car, was heard at Ballina District Court this week.
The court heard that on Thursday July 2 2009, Paul Harney from the Department of Social Welfare called to Ballina Garda station and reported that while carrying out a social welfare check in the home of Keith Walsh, 73 Greenhill’s Estate, Ballina, Walsh became aggressive towards Mr Harney, told him that if he didn’t get out of his house that he would be hit, and chased him out of the house. Walsh also followed Mr Harney 100 yards up the street and then kicked Mr Harney’s car.
Michael Bohan, solicitor for the defendant, said that Walsh (24 ), who has previous convictions, suffers with anger management issues and depression and is willing to pay for the damage caused to the car.
Judge Mary Devins asked if this is “symptomatic” of current society in that people’s attitudes are, “not only am I entitled to get money from the State”, but, “you are not entitled to ask me questions”?
For the Section 2 assault “on a public servant who was going about his business“, Walsh, “who is benefiting very generously from the social welfare system,” according to Judge Devins, was convicted and fined €500 and sentenced to six months in prison.
For the Section 2 criminal damage to the car, the defendant was convicted and fined €500 and sentenced to two months in prison to be served consecutively. Judge Devins also ordered that €30 per week be deducted from any future social welfare payments until €500 towards compensation and distress be paid to Mr Harney.
Recognisances were fixed.
