Vandal ‘caused a lot of upset to a lot of people’
Addict jailed for throwing blue paint on Luke Kelly statue in exchange for drugs
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A MAN who threw blue paint on a Luke Kelly statue causing €240 worth of damage has been jailed for nine months.
Michael Dunne, who was in homeless accommodation at the time, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to criminal damage on July 12, 2020.
He has 51 previous convictions dating back to 1986, which included five for criminal damage.
Judge Orla Crowe yesterday handed Dunne a sentence of 18 months, with the final nine months suspended on strict conditions.
She said the 50-year-old’s actions had “caused a lot of upset to a lot of people” because the statue was erected in memory of a “prominent character”.
She added the aggravating factors included Dunne’s previous convictions and that a bench warrant had been issued as he did not attend the last sentence date in December. The court was told he was in hospital at the time.
Judge Crowe noted the mitigation included his guilty plea, expressions of remorse, his vulnerable history and personal circumstances.
Garda David Kelly told John Moher BL, prosecuting, at an earlier sentencing date that he discovered the damage to the statue and harvested nearby CCTV footage which led to the identification of Dunne.
He was arrested but nothing came out of those
Garda interviews.
Gda Kelly agreed with
Katherine Mcgillicuddy BL, defending, that her client offered his sincere apologies for the damage he caused.
He accepted that Dunne was a longstanding drug addict and it had not been his idea to damage the statue.
He also accepted a suggestion from Ms Mcgillicuddy that her client was vulnerable, agreed to do this without asking any questions and got drugs as a reward.
The Irish Mirror previously revealed the vandalism was organised by a local drugs gang in an attempt to divert Garda resources after a crackdown on their dealing activities.
Ms Mcgillicuddy acknowledged the statue was very important in the local community and that Luke Kelly is an iconic figure.
She said her client felt his actions had caused “a lot of upset”. His sister is heavily involved in the local community and was embarrassed and ashamed when she learned of her brother’s behaviour.
Ms Mcgillicuddy said her client has not been “coping well” and has significant mental health difficulties.
He has been placed in protective custody due to the upset of other prisoners.
A psychological report was handed to the court.
Judge Crowe said Dunne’s actions had caused upset to others and while the case had attracted some publicity, he must bear the consequences of his actions.