Suspended prison sentence for man who broke glass in Tullamore barbershop door

A man damaged a barbershop door in Tullamore, a recent sitting of Tullamore District Court was told.

Before the court was Eric Dempsey, The Rock, Mountmellick, County Laois and the defending solicitor Donal Farrelly said his client was pleading guilty to threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour and criminal damage on High St Tullamore.

Sgt James O'Sullivan told the court that Mr Dempsey was very drunk and a danger to himself. He caused €250 of damage when he kicked a panel of glass in SK Barbershop on High Street on November 12  last. He had 11 previous convictions.

Mr Farrelly said Mr Dempsey is 49 years of age, and has a partner and four children.

“He is a hardworking man who works in a construction company. On this night he had a few drinks too many. He didn't intend to damage the glass panel of the door. It was an accident because he was drunk and he slipped. He is taking a pragmatic approach to the case and has €250 with him today in court for the payment for the door.”

Judge John O'Leary convicted for criminal damage and sentenced to three months imprisonment suspending it for six months.

“Mr Dempsey has had previous convictions and has had warnings from the court before. On this occasion he was also verbally abusive to the Gardaí.”

The Judge also convicted for threatening behaviour, imposing a sentence of three months imprisonment, suspending for six months, to run concurrently. He took into consideration the summons for intoxication in a public place.