Student, 21, threw paint over neighbour’s car

A young teaching student who threw paint over his neighbour’s car after a night out was told to come back to court in a year with €500 and stay out of trouble.

Before the court was Leigh Currid, 21, of Liggan, Ballinful, who pleaded guilty to a criminal damage charge.

Inspector Donal Sweeney told the court the defendant admitted throwing paint on Yvonne Jordan’s car on the 5 th of December 2016 in Ballinful.

He had no previous convictions. Defending solicitor Mr Eddie Henry described it as an unusual case. He said there had been an incident the previous October with the Jordans’ car and his client’s name had been mentioned but gardaí investigating the incident exonerated him as he had nothing to do with it.

He said the defendant’s father, who was anxious his son’s name would be blighted, gave Ms Jordan €1,000 in cash although his son had nothing to do with the incident. “My client didn’t know his father did this and then he later heard about it.

“It became sort of a laughing matter in the locality as the son was not responsible at all.

“He was in town at a nightclub and got a taxi home. He got a tin of emulsion and went to the house of Ms Jordan whose car was outside. He splashed paint on the car and went off,” Mr Henry said. Currid later made a statement to gardaí and apologised to Ms Jordan. The car was powerwashed. Mr Henry said: “He knows it was a foolish step to do. He deeply regrets it and apologised to the victim who works in the local pub in Maugherow.”

He said Currid’s father, who was in court, had been so worried by the incident in October that he went and paid the money. He said Currid was a good young man, hardworking and works in the local supermarket.

Judge Kevin Kilrane said there was malice in the act done in the dead of night.

He said it was nasty and something people fear at night, their homes or cars being attacked.

He said the mitigating factors were the defendant had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty and gave an explanation, even though it was a ‘rather strange one’.

“I can only imagine you had some alcohol on board when this happened, to get back at the Jordan family even though there was no need.

He added: “I don’t want to destroy this young man’s career with a conviction.” He told him to be back in court next November with the sum of €500 to be handed in.

Judge Kilrane said: “If you touch a hair on the head of the Jordans or their vehicles or property you can forget about what I am after saying.

“Leave the Jordans alone.” Mr Henry told the judge he can be assured the young man will not be before him again. A man was before Sligo District Court for stealing 12 cans of Carling from Tesco.

Conor Mahony, with an address of Killsallagh, Culfadda, Ballymote, Co Sligo, was charged with the offence on September 23rd last.

Inspector Donal Sweeney told the court the defendant had gone into Tesco and taken 12 cans of Carling without paying for them.

He was apprehended by gardaí. Mr Mark Mullaney, solicitor defending, said he fully co-operated with gardaí and was now living in Dublin.

Judge Kilrane remanded him on bail to November 15 th 2018 and told him he will get three months in prison if convicted during that time, otherwise he will apply a €100 fine.