This article is from page 18 of the 2007-06-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 18 JPG
A YOUNG Kilrush man who played a role in causing damage with acid to four cars totalling €7,500 has been told he must pay compensation.
David Rodgers (19) of Willow Green, Kilrush, pleaded guilty to damaging two cars at Limekiln Road, Kilrush, and two cars outside a house at Cappa Drive, Kilrush, in the early hours of August 2 last year.
Detective Garda Oliver Downes told Ennis Circuit Court that paint stripper was used to damage the or ase
‘He admitted on the night to driv-
ing to the locations with another per- son who did the damage. He knew at all times the damage was going to be committed. He didn’t identify the other person. Mr Rodgers didn’t car- ry out the damage,” said the garda.
The court was told that two of the cars were owned by Joe Mescall, a former employer of the accused. Rodgers had worked with him for more than three years, but had been let go two weeks before this incident. Garda Downes said he had been let go “on reasonably good terms.”
The other two cars were parked outside the home of Pat O’Malley, a retired garda sergeant, who had
been stationed in Kilrush for over 30 years.
Rodgers’ barrister Michael Fitzgib- bon said that “another individual, not Mr Rodgers, was the prime instiga- tor of this particular escapade.”
He said that Rodgers and his fam- ily were “fearful” of the other person who was involved.
Mr Fitzgibbon said his client plans to move to the UK to get away from Kilrush and the person of who he was infear.
Judge Sean O Donnabhain said he would have considered a suspended sentence if compensation had been ey nKee
“In the absence of compensation given the nastiness of the offence, the reality is he either faces up to the damage he did or there is only one Ol atom Wh Ole le
“If there is no compensation, he is really putting it up to me,” said the judge.
“Perhaps if I remand him in custo- dy for a week it might open his eyes to reality. Reality has got to dawn on the boy,” he said.
Mr Fitzgibbon sought a six month adjournment. The judge said he would adjourn the case for a week and granted bail. Rodgers will re-ap- pear in court today.