Kerry dog poop dispute erupts into stab threats and shovel attack

By Anna Zacharias, The Kerryman

During an argument over dog poop, a dog owner threated to stab a man and charged at him with a shovel, the Listowel District Court heard on Thursday.

Sgt Stephen O’Brien told the court an argument broken out in relation to dog droppings at Marconi Avenue in Ballybunion, just before 10am on Saint Patrick’s Day.

It began as a verbal altercation between Paul Blake and the defendant, Mr Jack Costello (26) of Hillsdale House, Doon Road, Ballybunion.

The dispute quickly escalated when Mr Blake allegedly kicked Mr Costello’s dog, the court heard.

Sgt O’Brien told the court that Mr Costello then “threatened to stab him, threatened to stab his wife and threatened to stab his daughter”.

Alleged threats also included “to burn down the house and break all the windows of the house belonging to Paul Blake”.

Mr Costello then picked up a shovel and ran at Mr Blake’s legs, said Sgt O’Brien.

The court heard that Mr Blake grabbed the shovel from Mr Costello and pushed him over a wall.

“Jack Costello got up and spat into Paul Blake’s face,” said Sgt O’Brien.

Mr Costello pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening to cause harm and to a charge of threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour.

The State withdrew two additional charges on the condition that full evidence of events be given in court. These charges were threats to damage property and the use of an article intended to cause injury, to incapacitate or to intimidate.

The State noted that Mr Costello had previously received a €800 fine for an uncontrolled dog. That dog was later rehomed.

Mr Costello’s solicitor, Brendan Ahern, noted his client had no previous convictions for such charges.

“My client would obviously have a different account but would have to accept the facts laid out,” said Mr Ahern.

Mr Ahern noted his client had reacted ‘extremely poorly’.

“He did lose his temper.” Mr Ahern added, “The root of the problem is a dog, judge.”

Judge Mark O’Connell considered the evidence against Mr Costello.

“This is a very serious offence,” said the judge. “There were extremely serious threats made and he’s going to have to pay for this.”

Sgt O’Brien noted, “He’s threatened to stab people in public over a dog. He took up a shovel.”

Judge O’Connell ordered Mr Costello pay €1,000 to Saint Vincent de Paul in lieu of conviction.