Listowel court round-up: a smashed toilet toilet, an inconsiderate cyclist and a speeding bus of tourists
The KerrymanA dangerous cyclist, a smashed toilet and a speeding bus of American tourists were cases on the list before Judge David Waters at the recent sitting of Listowel District Court.
Wayne Leahy (39), a resident of 19 Church Street, Listowel, faced three charges of property damage from February 20, 2025. The court heard gardai were called to the Lumberjack Hotel at 4am, when they found he had broken a wooden chair valued at €50 and a door jam valued at €200. “He said he needed the toilet,” a garda told the court. At this point, it was alleged he locked himself in the bathroom and smashed the toilet pan and cistern. The case was adjourned to December 18 for sentencing.
Barry Kevin (27) of 34 Feale Drive, Listowel, was fined €200 using a “pedal cycle without reasonable consideration” at Convent Street, Listowel on May 12, 2025. The court heard, “Mr Barry drew on the footpath, where there were people coming out of shops”.
Aidan Walsh (36) of Rusheen Park, Ballylongford, was fined €350 for driving without insurance on April 26, 2024 at Quay Street, Ballylongford. “If he comes to court again, I have no choice on the second conviction, it’s four years off the road,” said the judge.
Blake Evans (22) of Lisdara, Listowel, was fined €350 for possession of €80 worth of cocaine on April 26, 2025 in Listowel. He had three previous convictions for road traffic violations.
Raymond Downy (27) of 86 Feale Drive, Listowel, was given a three-month suspended sentence and a one-year, €200 bond for threatening or abusive behaviour in a public place at 2.40am on February 25, 2024 at Charles Street, Listowel.
“Gardai arrived and found this man shouting and roaring in the street,” said Sgt O’Brien. “They told him to go away and he wouldn’t do it.”
Brenda Rose Heffernan (25) of 76 Ballygologue Park, Listowel, was fined €320 for driving unaccompanied on a learner’s permit on July 13, 2024, at Courthouse Road, Listowel.
Catherine Mulcahy (32) of 6 Riverview, Ballyhahill, Limerick was ordered to donate €250 to Cuan Mhuire addiction treatment services for possession of cannabis valued at €30 at Billeragh, Listowel. She had no previous convictions.
David Thomas Butler (60) of the Maltings, Faythe Lane, Wexford, was fined €400 for speeding at 81 kph in a 60 kph zone on October 23, 2024 at 2.53pm on the R553 regional road, Kerry. He contested the ticket, saying he was driving a bus of American tourists and sped to pass a dangerous driver.
“I said to my tour guide, we need to get away from this guy,” said Mr Butler. “My intention was to overtake him and come back down, I’ve been doing this for 40 years.”
“That’s not a defence,” said the judge. He added, “There are better ways of dealing with a driver like that than compounding the problem”.