Went on car window breaking spree

A 41- year- old man who broke the windows of several cars in the Finisklin area of Sligo was ordered to come up with € 2,500 when he appeared in custody before Sligo District Court last Thursday.

Patrick Sweeney of 32 Rathbraughan Park admitted to breaking the windows of ten cars on the night of April 11th last with each window costing in the region of € 200. He was also charged with offences under the Public Order Act at Sligo University Hospital on April 16th.

Mr Tom MacSharry, solicitor ( defending) pleaded that the defendant had spent two weeks in custody on the charges and was seeking bail in order that he could gather compensation of € 1,500

Mr MacSharry said this was possible if the defendant was allowed out in order to attend at the office of another solicitor.

“Is the solicitor going to give him the money?” - Judge Kevin Kilrane.

“The solicitor will give me the € 1,500” - Mr MacSharry. He added that the incident occurred when the defendant was taking strong tablets mixed ith alcohol.

Judge Kilrane asked the defendant to write down how he expected to receive in relation to the case with the other solicitor.

When this was handed in to the Judge he remarked that the question of legal aid which had been granted previously may have to be revisited.

Mr MacSharry said he had no difficulty with that and the matter had arisen after legal aid had been granted in the case.

“He’ll certainly will come back to court with compensation after seeing what I’ve seen there,” said the Judge referring to the figure.

“He set off on a spree of criminal damage, breaking windscreen after windscreen of cars which were lawfully parked.

“At the top of my head this defendant has between 50 and 100 previous convictions including some for criminal damage, larceny and under the Public Order Act, the lot,” added Judge Kilrane.

Mr MacSharry pleaded that the defendant was currently homeless.

Sweeney was release on bail to this Thursday’s court and was ordered to come up with € 2,500.

The case was listed for mention or possible sentence on Thursday.