Man accused of slashing neighbour’s tyres

A man appeared in court accused of producing a knife and slashed a neighbour’s tyres. 

Pawel Konarzewska, 49, of Apartment 7, Watermill Place, The Square, Monasterevin, Co Kildare appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court. 

The defendant was accused of criminal damage and production of an article at Watermill Place on March 18, 2024. 

The court heard there had been a “verbal disagreement” between the residents of Apartment 7 and Apartment 8. 

A garda outlined the allegations against the accused.  “The injured party saw Pawel walk from Apartment 7 with a kitchen knife in his right hand,” the garda said. The man then allegedly slit four tyres of a vehicle parked outside. 

“The accused ran at the injured party with the knife in his hand and threatened to stab him,” the garda said.

“The accused was shouting and threatened to stab his wife and his four kids,” the garda stated. 

“He also threatened the injured party with WD 40 by threatening to spray it into his face,” she alleged. 

The garda was concerned that if the man was granted bail he might interfere with the injured party as they lived in the same apartment block. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick asked if the injured party was present to give evidence. On hearing he wasn’t, she said all of the evidence was “hearsay”. 

She said the man had just taken up a job with Bord na Mona and he was willing to abide by stringent bail conditions. 

Inspector Jane Ryan said the State was not consenting to bail for the defendant. 

However, Judge Nicola Andrews  granted bail subject to a number of conditions. 

She said he was not to have contact directly or indirectly with the alleged injured party, he was to provide a phone number and remain contactable, he was to sign on twice weekly at Kildare Garda Station and he was not to go near Apartment 8, Watermill Place. 

The case was adjourned back to Portlaoise District Court on April 8 and she certified for a Polish interpreter for the next appearance.