Courts / Dublin / Report

Jail sentence for smashing window is overturned

Summary

A man who smashed his neighbour's window and engaged in anti-social behaviour had his three-month jail term replaced with a fully suspended sentence on appeal. Karl Hiney broke his neighbour's living room window and damaged another after having 'issues' with them. He was also convicted of being intoxicated in a public place and using threatening and abusive behaviour. Hiney was later lodged an appeal against the severity of his sentence. Sergeant Shay Leonard told the court that Hiney made admissions to breaking a window and was conveyed to a garda station. Defence counsel said that Hiney had a long history of mental health problems and had issues with his neighbours over the years. Judge Christopher Callan said that he understood the context in which the incident happened with regard to Hiney's mental health and decided to suspend the three-month sentence for a period of two years on the condition that Hiney engage with the Probation Service and continue with counselling and psychotherapy courses. Karl Hiney pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail sentence for smashing window is overturned. Charges or matters: damaging the balcony window of a neighbour on a separate date and was sentenced to three months imprisonment. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

• March 3, 2025 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 23 Hearing Or Sentence
• July 11, 2025 Other
• 2026-04-24 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

Related court reports

• Parcel from South Africa contained €210k worth of cannabis
• CAB to sell high-end cars seized from former Real IRA member Nathan Kinsella
• Uninsured driver who believed he was covered escapes ban
• Doctor of social studies jailed for possessing €285k of heroin
• Restorative justice after 'opportunistic' scratch cards swipe
• Woman who committed multiple offences while on bail gets max sentence

Read the original CNI report