Wicklow man pleads guilty after entering Mr Price with hammer and bottle of wine

By Darragh McCann, The Wicklow People

An Arklow man who entered a retail premises carrying a hammer, and later caused damage at his parents’ home using a cavity block, has pleaded guilty to a series of offences before Arklow District Court.

Davy Harris (21), of Lamberton Heights, Arklow, Co Wicklow, pleaded guilty at a sitting of Arklow District Court to multiple charges.

An outstanding bench warrant was executed on Mr Harris by Garda Eamon Furlong of Arklow Garda Station.

The first charge, assault causing harm, occurred on February 6, 2023. The court heard that gardaí responded to a call to a housing estate in Arklow where the defendant had assaulted a man, leaving him with bruising to his body.

The injured party refused medical treatment, but photographs of his injuries were handed into court.

On April 15, 2025, Mr Harris was charged with intoxication in a public place and possession of knives and other articles at Mr Price, Knockanrahan, Arklow.

The court heard that staff at the store contacted emergency services after Mr Harris entered the premises carrying a hammer and a bottle of wine. During questioning, Mr Harris told gardaí that he had the hammer for his own protection, stating that people were “out to get him”.

Mr Harris also pleaded guilty to intoxication in a public place and criminal damage at Lamberton Heights, his parents’ home address. The court heard that at approximately 2.45pm on September 6, 2025, Mr Harris returned home from a night out and attempted to enter the house.

His father refused him entry, believing he had consumed drugs. Mr Harris then punched the door, threw a plant pot through a window and smashed his mother’s car window with a cavity block, before kicking the panels of the vehicle.

Gardaí located Mr Harris walking around the estate a short time later and arrested him.

The court was told that Mr Harris has two previous convictions. Solicitor for the defence, Sean John O’Donovan, said the convictions related to incidents that occurred after the matters before the court.

He told the court that his client had previously lived in Australia and, given his age and limited record at the time, a probation report would be appropriate.

Judge David Kennedy agreed and adjourned the matter until March 15, 2026, for the preparation of a probation report.