Courts / Kildare / Report
Kildare man avoids jail for going "on a rampage" and smashing up his house
Summary
Stephen Kiely, 45, of Thomastown, Enfield, Kildare, pleaded guilty to criminal damage at his shared home in Oldbridge Park, Lucan, on 9 June 2013. The offence followed an argument at a birthday party when he discovered his girlfriend was texting a man she had met a week earlier. After retrieving her phone, he saw what he described as 'very graphic confirmation' of an affair. He smashed the phone, broke two televisions, a microwave, a bathtub, shower doors, a chest of drawers, mirrors, bannisters, the legs of two dining chairs, slashed two couches and cut cables from a barbecue, hair straightener and hoover. Lorcan Staines BL argued that Kiely was enraged, humiliated, in despair and angry, citing a recent Prozac prescription. Judge Martin Nolan ordered a €5,000 payment to the injured party and imposed a two‑year suspended sentence. The judge noted that the relationship's abrupt end had caused Kiely's world to fall apart.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Kildare man avoids jail for going "on a rampage" and smashing up his house. Charges or matters: criminal damage at the house he shared with his girlfriend in Oldbridge Park, Lucan, Co. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 9 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-03-05 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: criminal damage at the house he shared with his girlfriend in Oldbridge Park, Lucan, Co (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan ordered Kiely to pay the €5,000 to the injured party and imposed a two year suspended sentence.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- 'Merciful approach': man who sexually assaulted girl (14) a year after defiling her won't face any extra jail time
- Museum employee charged with possessing bomb tells court he wants to reapply for bail 'at earliest chance'
- Explosive device allegedly stored in National Museum at Collins' Barracks
- Journalist 'victimised and penalised' by animal rescue charity, solicitor says
- Fraudster jailed for conning over €50k from elderly woman for garden work
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request