Midlands man who used crowbar to smash ex's house gets suspended sentence

A man whose life was described at Tullamore district court as having gone on a ''downward spiral'' received a three year suspended sentence for smashing the windows and damaging doors at the home of a woman he had previously been in a relationship with, causing €9,114 worth of damage.

Martin Gallagher (57) Rathgarret, Tore, Westmeath, had pleaded guilty to the offence which happened on April 26, 2023 at Clonfad, Dalystown, Mullingar.

At a previous court sitting, Judge Andrew Cody requested a victim impact statement from the woman.

Mr Gallagher had been in a relationship with the victim for 15 years. On the night of the offence, he called to the house in Clonfad, where he had lived for seven years to speak to the woman. The court heard that she had asked him to leave her home the previous Christmas Eve. His solicitor said that Mr Gallagher had been ''cut adrift'' and was drinking. He had stayed in a hotel in Tyrrellspass over Christmas and his life had gone on a ''downward spiral'' culminating in the offence.

On the day in question, Martin Gallagher, had taken a crowbar from the garage of the house and broken seven domestic windows, two French door windows, a rear door window and a rear door panel. He was quickly located by the gardai and he had blood on his hands. He had made a full admission.

Mr Gallagher's solicitor said the defendant was 57. He had called out to the house that night to talk to the lady but she would not answer the door and ''rightly so,'' he said. His solicitor said he hadn't brought the crowbar with him and got it from the garage.

He had always been in gainful employment but lost his job in January of this year due to his drinking. He was very ashamed. The lady did nothing wrong, the relationship is over and there is a barring order against Mr Gallagher. He has since got accommodation and is working, his solicitor said.

Having read the victim impact statement Judge Andrew Cody noted that the victim said there were ongoing expenses.

Solicitor for Mr Gallagher said the defendant wasn't sure what they were but would pay anything that was owed. He had already paid full compensation. He also had €2,000 with him in court.

Judge Cody said the incident must have been a very frightening ordeal for the victim and her children. He ordered Mr Gallagher to hand over the €2,000 to the gardai.

For the offence of using a crowbar Judge Cody fined the defendant €300, on the charge of criminal damage he fined him €500. He imposed a three month sentence which he suspended for three years on the defendant's own bond of €100.