A man who caused €5,500 worth of damage to a Transit van after the owner of the van disrespected the defendant’s dead mother, was before Ballina District Court on Tuesday for the criminal damage charge.
On November 6 2010, at 6.30am, William Lawrence, 127 Manor Village, Westport Road, Castlebar went to the home of Brian Lawrence at Friars Court, Ballina, and smashed the front windscreen of his Ford Transit van, damaged the driver’s door and dented the car, all by using a digging fork.
Mr Lawrence observed the defendant run away from the scene when he looked out, after hearing loud banging. Gardaí called to the home of the defendant shortly after, where he admitted that he caused the damage.
John Gordon, solicitor for the defendant said that Lawrence was aggrieved that Mr Lawrence made jibes about the defendant’s late mother, which led to the incident.
Lawrence has since moved from Ballina and has taken part in an anger management course.
The defendant, who has previous convictions, had some compensation in court and has agreed to make regular payments of €20 a week in order to make the full compensation.
Judge Mary Devins adjourned the case to July 12 for a Probation Report and evidence that further compensation has been paid.
