Wexford District Court round-up: Man jailed for smashing car windows in drunken rampage
Wexford PeopleA number of cases were heard at Wexford District Court recently, presided by Judge John Cheatle.
A young Wexford man was before the court in relation to various charges of criminal damage. Jamie Sutcliffe of 43 The Park, Clonattin Village, Gorey, Wexford, was before the court in relation to a number of smashed car windows in Gorey on August 30 2025.
The court heard that a total of five cars had windows smashed with some having two windows broken and with others having one broken. Sutcliffe was arrested in the vicinity and conveyed to Wexford garda station. The accused has a significant number of previous convictions, 64 in total. Sutcliffe received a six month sentence suspended for 12 months in relation to other charges of criminal damage before Cloverhill District Court.
Lana Doherty, solicitor for the accused, informed the court that Sutcliffe was arrested in the area and made full admissions at the time. Ms. Doherty stated her client had lost both of his parents at an early age and has had issues with alcohol and tablets and was “extremely under the influence” on the night in question.
Judge Cheatle stated that unfortunately due to Sutcliffe’s previous convictions combined with there being no prospect of compensation to the owners of the vehicles he must impose a sentence. The defendant was given a three month prison sentence which was back dated to August 31, when Sutcliffe was taken into custody. The six month suspended sentence from Cloverhill District Court has now also been activated as a result of Sutcliffe committing further offences and will be heard on a later date.
James Berry (50) and Andrew Berry (29) both of 5 Raheen, Rosbercon, New Ross, Wexford, plead guilty to having an uncontrolled dog at North Slobs, Wexford. Garda Declan Dennehy gave evidence that the defendants were walking their three lurcher dogs at the North Slobs without any leads. There was no harm to any of the wildlife.
Judge Cheatle imposed a €150 fine with three months to pay on both men.
A Wexford man plead guilty to an offence of driving without insurance and driving while disqualified at Castlebridge on June 12 2024. Garda Brophy gave evidence that on the day in question he observed Kevin McDonald (43) of 11 Oaktree Heights, Castlebridge, Wexford, driving a vehicle while disqualified from driving for a period of four years. Garda Brophy told the court that he then called to the home of the accused where the defendant claimed that a prospective buyer for the vehicle had come to the house, and that was who was driving.
McDonald has 17 previous convictions, including four for no insurance. Judge Cheatle adjourned the matter to December 8 for a community service report to be prepared – if eligible the accused will carry out 150 hours in lieu of four months imprisonment.
Tomasz Sochala (51) of Coolaw, Taghmon, Wexford, plead guilty to a charge of careless driving which took place at Rosslare Harbour on July 8 2024. The court heard that Sochala was driving a lorry at the time when he struck a man that was directing traffic. Jade Wright, solicitor for the accused, informed the court that the injured party was unfortunately in the blind spot of the lorry, her client had gotten lost while looking for the exit and was driving at a very slow speed at the time. Since the incident Sochala has completed further driving training. Judge Cheatle fined the accused €200 with four months to pay.
Conor Cafferkey (38) of Muckstown, Wexford, was fined €150 with four months to pay in relation to an offence of holding a mobile phone while driving on February 7 2025 on the R740 Rocksborough.
A young boy was before Wexford District Court for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to various offences.
Garda Davy Fitzgerald, juvenile liaison with Wexford garda station, gave evidence to the court that he worked closely with the young teenager for a period of time and the boy has progressed incredibly well and is actively engaging with him, doing exactly what is asked of him, and has returned to school. The boy has said he is going to continue with school, has joined a boxing club, and has also started equine therapy. Garda Fitzgerald stated he is extremely impressed with the young teenager.
Tom Byrne, coordinator with the Safe Project, also worked with the boy and stated he has made remarkable progress. He informed the court that himself and Garda Fitzgerald had brought the boy on a camping trip in Wicklow recently where he stated it was great to see the child doing “normal things that young lads do” including fishing.
A member of the probation services, Fiona O’Sullivan, worked with the child and also agreed that he had made notable improvements. However, Ms O’Sullivan had concerns around anti-social behaviour and felt the boy would benefit from further probation supervision.
It was confirmed to the court that the child had not come to any subsequent gardai attention and also has no previous convictions.
Judge Cheatle congratulated the young boy on his improvements and remarked that everyone who has worked with him is very proud of him. The Judge ordered a further 12 months probation supervision and warned the boy that if he does commit offences in the future then time at Oberstown is a real possibility for him.
A bench warrant was issued for Lavina Power (33) of 71 Mount Carmel, New Ross, Wexford. Power was due before the court for various charges including an alleged assault which took place at Selskar Street on June 7 2020, a charge of criminal damage on the same date where she is alleged to have smashed the phone of the injured party. There are also charges of alleged theft before the court. There was no appearance by Power.