A 26-year-old man who, while intoxicated, kicked the front door of his ex-partner’s house and smashed in her window as he was upset that she was in a new relationship was before Ballina District Court this week for criminal damage and public order charges.
On March 18 this year David Murray, 124 Childers Heights, Ballina was observed by gardaí kicking the front door and punching in a window of a house at The Commons, Ballina. Murray failed to leave the area when directed by gardaí.
On September 4 Garda Paurick Kelly approached the defendant at 4.30am on Market Street. Murray was abusive towards Garda Kelly and told him to “f**k off” and said, “I will get you out of uniform you wa**er”. When arrested the defendant struck out with his arms and head and had to be restrained.
Solicitor Peter Loftus said that the defendant, who has previous convictions, had €85 in court to pay for the damage to the window and Mr Loftus added that his client was sorry for being abusive to the garda.
Judge Mary Devins adjourned the Section Two criminal damage charge to January 26 2010 for a community service assessment report where, if deemed suitable, Murray will be sentenced to 100 hours of community service in lieu of three months in prison. The Section Eight and Section Four public order charges were taken into consideration.
For Section Six public order in September, Murray was released on continuing bail to the January court for a community service assessment report and if suitable, will be convicted and sentenced to 50 hours’ community service to be served consecutively in lieu of one month in prison.
