Man in court over parking space row in Laois

A dispute over a parking space resulted in a man appearing before Portlaoise District Court. 

Brian Kirby (48) of 3 Hawthorn Way, Esker Hills, Portlaoise appeared in court accused of engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour at Hawthorn Way on December 2, 2023. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the injured party had parked her car in a parking space designated to the defendant’s house. 

Sgt Kirby said the man moved his van and parked across the road. He said the injured party alleged the man had “verbally threatened her” but he had denied the claim.  He said the defendant had one previous conviction dating back to 2017. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client, who was a machine driver, was pleading guilty. He said the man returned home on the day to find his designated parking space taken. 

“When he came back there was no parking space for him,” he explained. 

He said “there was a little bit of agitation” and his client’s van was preventing the other driver from leaving the space. 

He said there had been an exchange on the day. “She said something to him,” he told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court.

Mr Fitzgerald said the man was apologetic over the incident. 

On hearing the facts, Judge Nicola Andrews applied the probation act.