Smashed rear window of occupied car in Portlaoise

A man smashed the rear window of an occupied car in Portlaoise with a hockey stick.  

Brian Darcy (25) of 18 Harpurs Crescent, Knockmay, Portlaoise admitted producing a hockey stick and causing criminal damage to two windows of a car at Telfords,  Clonminam Business Park, Portlaoise on November 6, 2024.  

Andrew Dunne BL said his client had €1,000 in court. Referring to his probation report, he said “his remorse and his regret is very much evident throughout”. Mr Dunne said his client had gone to Autoglass and received a quote for the damage which they said was €514. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the case had been adjourned for payment of €1,000 compensation. 

Mr Dunne said he had the €1,000 in court and had been instructed to tell the court that Autoglass had quoted €514 to repair damage for the same make and model of car.

“There is also an element of the inconvenience, it is not just the cost,” said Judge Susan Fay.  She asked Sgt Kirby to outline the facts. 

Sgt Kirby said a woman reported to Portlaoise Garda Station that she was in her father’s 06 registered Mercedes outside Telfords at 3.20pm when the defendant “ran up to her vehicle and smashed her rear window aggressively with a hockey stick before leaving the scene”. 

Sgt Kirby said the woman was in the car with her partner and her daughter and they were all scared. He said the defendant made full admissions when interviewed at a later date. He said the man had 44 previous convictions. 

Judge Susan Fay said noting there was €1,000 compensation in court she would sentence  the man to 100 hours of community service in lieu of five months in prison. She said the man was to have no contact with the victim and he was placed under probation supervision for 12 months and was to engage with employment and training services.