This article is from page 11 of the 2012-09-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
A 19-YEAR-OLD man has received a four-month prison sentence after being convicted of two charges of criminal damage in the Loughville area of Ennis.
Thomas McCarthy, with an address at 12 Pearse Avenue, Cloughleigh, pleaded guilty at Ennis District Court on Wednesday to damaging Drumkerrin Lodge sometime between the hours of February 15 and 16 (2012).
Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that Mr McCarthy was among a group of people who entered the house, broke a window and forced open the garage door.
A total of € 250 worth of damage was caused to the garage door and a total € 800 worth of damage was caused to the double glazed windows during the incident.
The State struck out a charge of trespass against Mr McCarthy. Insp Kennedy said the house as undergoing renovations at the time.
He said it had been raining and the group entered the property to drink alcohol.
The court heard that the accused told Gardaí that he entered the property to take shelter.
He also admitted damaging the window.
The court heard that Mr McCarthy is currently serving a two-year period of detention in St Patrick’s Institution.
Mr McCarthy was also charged with contravening a barring order at his family home on February 2.
Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said the barring order had been put in place because her client’s family could not come to terms with his drink and drug abuse.
She said Mr McCarthy “unreservedly apologises” for the damage he caused to the house. Ms Godfrey said the prospect of compensation was nil.
Mr McCarthy has 12 previous convictions. Judge Patrick Durcan imposed a two-month sentence in respect of each criminal damage charge.
The domestic violence charge was taken into consideration. Judge Durcan said no further breach of the order had occurred between February and Mr McCathy’s earlier conviction in July.