Teenager’s ‘panic’ as man is in breach of barring order

A VISIT by James Murphy (48), address given as c/o Ozanam House, Thomas Street, Wexford, to a house in The Ballagh created panic.

The District Court was informed that when Murphy pulled his van into the property at Killisk on May 18, he was in breach of a barring order granted the previous October.

His presence was spotted from inside the house by teenager Alison Murphy who told the judge that she was panicked and terrified, not sure if the door was locked.

She ducked under a window and rang her mother Jean Murphy, stating in court that she was afraid the unwelcome visitor would get into the house somehow. In fact, he drove away without leaving his vehicle.

The court was informed by solicitor John O’Leary that his client was in the area delivering a television and decided to drive in when he saw there were no cars at the house.

His intention, according to Mr O’Leary was to take a picture of a garden bench as he intended to make a copy of the seat for a friend.

Judge Gerard Haughton observed that this was not the most serious case of an order being breached which had come his way and an innocent explanation had been offered to the court.

However, the evidence showed the effect of his actions and he marked the offence by recording a conviction with a fine of €250.