Man who smashed €3,000 window at council HQ is remanded in custody

PLEAS of guilty were entered as James Cosgrave (32) with addresses at Shelmalier Common in Barntown and 7 Curracloe Holiday Villas, faced criminal damage charges at Wexford District Court.

The cost of replacing the window which Cosgrave smashed at Wexford County Council headquarters in Carricklawn was put at €3,000.

And he also caused €184 worth of damage to stock at the TK Maxx store in the town as he attempted to rip a security tag off a jacket.

The incident at the council occurred when Cosgrave became irate after attending the housing section, picking up a bollard with which he broke the window.

Solicitor Raymond Rowan appeared on behalf of the accused, describing the father of three as homeless for some time.

Mr Rowan reckoned that his client had a serious mental illness, reporting that Cosgrave first experienced what he described as a psychotic episode four years ago.

The condition was undiagnosed as far as the solicitor was aware, but he reported that the defendant had been hearing voices.

Sergeant Gary Rayner opposed the granting of bail, telling Judge Gerard Haughton that Cosgrave had attempted to escape from custody, assaulting a garda in the process.

The judge remanded him in custody to the court sitting on September 19 and ordered a psychiatric report.