North Kerry man sentenced after threatening to decapitate neighbour with shovel
The KerrymanA judge sentenced a north Kerry man to a custodial sentence for assaulting a neighbour and threatening to decapitate him with shovel.
Jason O’Connor (23) of 35 Bruach Na Gaile, Moyvane, appeared before Listowel District Court last Thursday.
He was charged with assault on May 7, 2023, as well as production of an article capable of inflicting serious injury and for threatening to kill his neighbour, on December 2, 2023 at Bruach Na Gaile, Moyvane.
He also had an unrelated charge for drug possession.
It was alleged Mr O’Connor kicked and punched a neighbour who had tried to separate fighting dogs, Sergeant Stephen O’Brien told the court.
A few months later, he said, the injured party alleged Jason O’Connor “was threatening to cut his head off with a shovel”.
Sgt O’Brien provided the judge with a victim impact statement.
The defendant’s solicitor, Pat Mann, told the judge, “This was about two neighbours and their dogs”.
He said “rather than live with the friction”, his client had moved from Moyvane to Ballymacelligot, where his grandfather lived.
“Because he moved himself away from the area, there’s no contact with Moyvane at all,” said Mr Mann. “I’d ask you not to impose a custodial sentence.”
Judge David Waters said a custodial sentence was required as the defendant’s actions had been “absolutely disgusting, to say the least”.
“He’s burnt the bridges under him,” said Judge Waters.
He noted the defendant had repeatedly failed to cooperate with probation services and required a bench warrant to appear in court.
“They can keep an eye on him but he has rejected that even,” said the judge. “This man has decided not to take the route open to him.”
Mr O’Connor was convicted and sentenced to five months for the assault charge and eight months concurrent for December charges, taking into account the charge for drug possession.