Laois men involved in family-related dispute appear in court again
Portlaoise Courthouse
A 35-YEAR-old man who was described as ‘a good young fella growing up,’ was back before Portlaoise District Court last week for the finalisation of a case that arose from a family-related dispute in Stradbally.
Jamie Kinsella, 1 Oakglen, Stradbally was one of two men who had previously pleaded guilty to criminal damage to the front sitting room window at 2 Oakglen on 27 June, causing €181.60 worth of damage.
The other man had previously pleaded guilty to causing €680 damage to a TV and €183 damage to a window.
Judge Susan Fay was informed that Mr Kinsella had taken part in the Restorative Justice Programme and that on its instructions had paid full compensation for the damage he caused.
Garda Sgt JJ Kirby said that the defendant has 13 previous convictions, adding: “He was a good young fella growing up, but he got into a bit of bother later on.” Sgt JJ Kirby told Portlaoise District Court that while the defendant has 13 previous convictions, he had not come to much garda attention since his last convictions seven years ago.
Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that “matters have since been resolved” between the two parties.
Sgt Kirby said that on the day Mr Kinsella had a baseball bat and broke the window with it.
Noting that the defendant had engaged fully with the Restorative Justice Programme, signed a peace bond and agreed not to have any contact with the injured party in the future, Judge Fay bound him to the peace for 12 months.
Regarding the other person who was involved in the family dispute, Darren Malone (23), also 1 Oakglen, Stradbally, he, too, had previously pleaded guilty to criminal damage at 2 Oakglen, Stradbally.
At an earlier hearing in the case, the court heard that Mr Malone “cycled up outside the house threw a small brick that shattered a window and damaged a TV that was inside the room and caused €680 damage to it.” Last week’s sitting of the court was told that the TV had since been replaced and that Mr Malone had €100 in court to pay for the damaged window.
Sgt Kirby said that Mr Malone’s case is related to Mr Kinsella’s case, but in this incident “it was another window he broke.” Ms Fitzpatrick also legally represented Mr Malone. She said that the damage to the window was €183 and that her client “was not abdicating his responsibility to pay the balance (€83) but needs more time to gather up the money.” Judge Fay remanded Mr Malone on continuing bail to the 6 July sitting of the court to allow him time to pay the outstanding balance on the compensation.
Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.
