Man caused €5,000 damage to double gates in Portlaoise
He appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court
A man who caused €5,000 worth of damage to double gates in Portlaoise brought €1,200 in compensation to court.
Kieran Hyland (37) of The Heath, Portlaoise, is accused of criminal damage to double gates at Greenmill Lane, Portlaoise on April 1, 2023. He is also accused of obstruction at Hinds Square, Portlaoise and possessing drugs at Abbeyleix Garda Station on July 25, 2025.
Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client had brought €1,200 to court and has taken responsibility for causing €5,000 in damage. He said the man was engaging with probation services and had been deemed suitable to do community service.
Judge Susan Fay said she would like to finalise the drugs matters and adjourn the criminal damage charge for further payment of compensation.
Mr Fitzgerald said the restorative justice report indicated that a sum of €5,000 was due for the criminal damage. He suggested a date in December to allow his client to gather the money. He said the man had €1,200 in court.
“These people are out of pocket and I would like to see them get the money as soon as possible,” said Judge Fay. She asked that the €1,200 be handed over for the injured party.
Mr Fitzgerald said his client would have an additional €1,000 in July and the balance of the compensation in December.
Judge Fay adjourned the case to July 27 for payment of a further €1,000. She sentenced the man to 80 hours of community service in lieu of three months in prison for the drug offence and she ordered the destruction of the drugs.