Wexford man who damaged car with a hurl ordered to pay €2,000 compensation to avoid jail
Wexford PeopleA Wexford man who admitted causing more than €2,000 worth of damage to another man’s car with a hurl has been given an opportunity to avoid a custodial sentence if compensation is paid to the injured party.
Gorey District Court heard that Garda Quirke attended at a home in Screen, Wexford, where the injured party, Barry Redmond, stated that a man known to him had smashed his car.
The court heard that Tony Heffernan (45), of 3 Rathoe, Newtown, Ramsgrange, Wexford, damaged the front passenger side of the vehicle along with the front and rear windows, causing a total of €2,058 worth of damage.
Heffernan entered a guilty plea to the offence of criminal damage.
The court was told the accused has four previous convictions, including two for assault, one for threatening and abusive behaviour in a public place, and one for public intoxication. His most recent conviction dates back to 2019.
Lana Doherty, solicitor for the accused, informed the court that there is a history between the parties with her client being in a relationship with Mr Redmond’s ex-wife, causing unhappy differences between the two men.
Ms Doherty told the court that on the day in question Mr Redmond had parked his vehicle behind her client’s car, which caused Heffernan to feel intimidated.
The solicitor said the incident was not premeditated and occurred following a verbal exchange between the men. Feeling threatened, Heffernan opened the boot of his car, retrieved a hurl, and damaged the vehicle.
Judge Kevin Staunton noted that while Heffernan’s two previous assault convictions are a long time ago they “say a lot about the type of person he is”.
He directed that €2,000 compensation be paid to the injured party to avoid a custodial sentence. However, Judge Staunton warned that failure to pay the compensation would “illuminate the court as to his attitude”.
The case was adjourned to October 7 to allow time for the compensation to be paid.