Man who threatened to ‘smash’ woman’s head sent to prison

ANTHONY MAGUIRE of 26 Beachside Avenue, Courtown was dealt a five-month jail sentence after Judge Gerard Haughton heard tearful victim impact evidence from the woman he threatened in the Apple Green service station in Gorey.

The District Court was given evidence from a member of staff at the Apple Green who asked Maguire to leave the premises as he had been barred.

His response was to become very aggressive, saying that he would smash her head and that he would knife her.

She reckoned he was not in his right mind at the time.

Maguire also pleaded guilty to stealing cash and cheques on another occasion when he reached into the till at Pettitt’s in Gorey.

The cheques were later recovered but not the cash, though compensation was produced in court by solicitor David Tarrant

Also outstanding against the same defendant was a dangerous driving incident dating back to September of 2016 when Maguire was observed speeding through Riverchapel and overtaking other road users in a dangerous manner. He was not insured.

Defending solicitor David Tarrant told the court that, after the incident at Apple Green, his client went to the UK to complete a residential course.

Maguire was now free of drugs and in after-care, having taken up employment for the first time in his life while he was expecting a third child with his partner.

Judge Haughton noted a ‘formidable’ record of previous convictions which included counts of theft, robbery and driving without insurance.

The threats to assault occurred back in July of 2017 but were still upsetting for the victim, the court noted.

The defendant’s behaviour amounted to assault which merited a five month jail term.

Four months concurrent were recorded for dangerous driving and driving uninsured, with a ten year driving ban.

The defendant was taken into custody but later walked free as bail was posted pending an appeal against the sentencing.