This article is from page 20 of the 2013-04-16 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
A MAN who wrote graffiti on a statue of Clare’s most famous politician was not entitled to express his views in such a manner, a court has heard.
Aidan Cahill (26) used a blue marker to write on a bronze statue of Eamon De Valera near the grounds of Ennis Courthouse on April 4 (2013).
Mr Cahill, with an address at 3 Glenview Close, Tulla, was found by gardaí in possession of a blue marker near the memorial to the former President of Ireland.
At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Mr Cahill pleaded guilty to graffiti of the monument, which is the property of Clare County Council.
Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that Mr Cahill had a number of previous convictions including for criminal damage and assault.
Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client is “extremely sorry” for what he had done. She said Mr Cahill has since washed the graffiti from the statue. She said Mr Cahill had entered an early plea and admitted his responsibility. Ms Godfrey said it could be proffered that Mr Cahill is taking the “blame for some other blue markered villain” and their “blue shirted views.”
Judge Patrick Durcan said this was a monument of national significance to someone who played a significant role in the development of the Irish State. Judge Durcan said irrespective of whether or not Mr Cahill had views on Mr De Valera, he was not entitled to deface the statue.
Judge Durcan said he found it “absolutely reprehensible” that someone would use the statue as an “outlet for their rage.” He added; “This is an issue where someone very central to this country has been defamed.”
Noting Mr Cahill’s early guilty plea, Judge Durcan imposed a threemonth prison sentence. That sentence was suspended for 12 months on condition Mr Cahill be of good behaviour and refrain from entering the park that surrounds the De Valera monument.