Car replaced after being smashed with baseball bat in Limerick village
A REPLACEMENT car was bought for an injured party after the vehicle’s windows were smashed with a baseball bat.
Edwina O’Dwyer, aged 28, of Cois na Coille, Murroe, and Gary Ryan, aged 25, of Gilmartin Park, Murroe, pleaded guilty to criminal damage.
At around midnight on August 25, 2018, Sergeant Michelle Leahy said the defendants arrived outside a house in Gilmartin Park, Murroe.
“They damaged a blue Honda Civic, the property of the defence witness,” said Sgt Leahy.
Kilmallock Court heard that a baseball bat was used in the crime investigated by Garda Tom McGlinchey.
“All the windows were broken and some of the panels. The damage was €1,000,” said Sgt Leahy.
Con Barry, solicitor for Ms O’Dywer and Mr Ryan, said the car was replaced the next day.
“After they calmed down they bought another car to replace it,” said Mr Barry.
The solicitor said on the night in question Mr Ryan was at home “minding his own business”.
“A gang came to his door - roaring, shouting and threatening him. They alleged an offence had took place which didn’t take place.
“He confronted them. He got a rush of blood to the head. He followed them up the road. Criminal damage took place. He got the money together and replaced the car the next day. He was at home minding his own business. The gang came to his door. He should have rang the gardai,” said Mr Barry.
Judge Marian O’Leary said Mr Ryan has two previous convictions for criminal damage.
Mr Barry said his client was “provoked” and “there are two sides to every coin”. He stressed to the judge that the car was replaced the very next day.
Judge O’Leary asked why she shouldn’t give Mr Ryan a custodial sentence.
Mr Barry said his client “overreacted” and he “had drink in him” but he was “bothering no one”.
“A gang came to his door. If he did call the gardai maybe the injured parties would be here on public order charges,” said Mr Barry.
“That’s a lot of maybes,” said Judge O’Leary, who imposed a one month suspended sentence on Mr Ryan. Recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal.
Mr Barry said Ms O’Dwyer has no previous convictions and this was “out of character”.
“She was in the house at the same time. She followed out the door and has pleaded guilty to criminal damage,” said Mr Barry.
Judge O’Leary said the matter would be struck out if Ms O’Dwyer pays €300 to the court poor box.