Man fined for damaging JCB and tractors in Offaly

An Offaly man was fined for trespassing onto a woman's property and with damaging tractors and a JCB digger at last week's district court.

On April 2, 2024, Eoin Coyne (26) of Rooske, Edenderry had caused criminal damage to a yellow JCB digger, all the windows of a Massey Ferguson 135 tractor, the doors and windows of a Landini tractor at Clonmore, Rhode.

He was also charged with, on the same date, committing trespass on “the curtilage of a building”, belonging to a woman, “in such a manner as caused or was likely to cause fear in another person.”

The damage done amounted to €3,328.

Solicitor Aisling Maloney said her instructions were that it was random and her client couldn't fully explain it.

Sergeant Richard Thornton said Mr Coyne had made a full admission. The defendant who is on a FAS Scheme had paid compensation to the victims.

Judge Andrew Cody remarked that to ''randomly go into a yard and start smashing up JCB's must have been terrifying.''

He imposed a €250 fine for entering the curtilage of the building. He fined the defendant a further €250 for criminal damage done to the JCB.

He ordered the destruction of footwear, glass, hammer, DVD and clothes. A cowboy hat is to be returned to the defendant.

''Given the day that's in it,'' (November 6) remarked Judge Cody.