Courts / Dublin / Report
Punter smashed 28 TV screens after bet placed on wrong race
Summary
John Farrell, 47, of Ballymun, Dublin, pleaded guilty to criminal damage after smashing 28 television screens at Boyle Sports in September 2016. He claimed he was owed winnings from a bet he believed had been processed incorrectly and placed on the wrong race. The staff member explained that the first horse on his ticket had not won, making the bet a loss. Farrell returned later with a hammer and smashed the screens, causing €10,450 in damage. He had 25 prior convictions, the most recent in 2001 for handling stolen property. In court, he admitted the act, expressed remorse, and was receiving treatment for an aggressive form of cancer. Judge Melanie Greally, noting the incident was out of character and influenced by his circumstances, imposed a four‑year suspended sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Punter smashed 28 TV screens after bet placed on wrong race. Charges or matters: criminal damage at Boyle Sports, Ballymun Road on September 6, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 6, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2020-02-03 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: criminal damage at Boyle Sports, Ballymun Road on September 6, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Credit: Collins) A man who smashed 28 television screens in a bookmakers with a hammer after he was not given winnings he believed he was owed has been given a suspended sentence. She said it was an incident that in the normal course would attract a custodial sentence but in Farrell's "particular circumstances" she imposed a four year suspended sentence.
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