Man ‘thumped’ car

A man claimed at Sligo District Court his car was damaged by the fist of another man who ran out from a pub in Dromore West just after he parked up.

Summoned for causing criminal damage at Main Street in the village on April 26 th 2015 was Paul Ruane (25)of Dunbeakin, Templeboy. He was represented by Ms Laura Spellman, solicitor.

Liam Gallagher told the court he had pulled his car into the car park of Feeney’s Pub around 9.30pm. He parked beside a van.

He then heard a man shouting at him from the door of the pub. He then ran over and hammered the bonnet of his car before running back in the direction of the pub where others were standing.

Mr Gallagher stated that three months previously the defendant tried to take a newspaper from his hand as he walked along the street towards home having come out of a shop.

Witness said that he vaguely knew the defendant who had said to him that he knew “f ***ing well who I am.”

Asked what was the issue with the defendant, witness replied that he didn’t know and that he had nothing to do with him. The damage to his Ford Mondeo was €368.

“It’s all a bit of a mystery” - Judge Kevin Kilrane.

Garda Helen Cusack said Mr Gallagher called to Enniscrone Station on April 27 th with a letter explaining what happened with Ruane the day before. Mr Gallagher said the defendant had shouted at him to “get the f *** away from the van. It’s not yours.”

Garda Cusack said she rang Ruane and cautioned him that he wasn’t to have any dealings with Mr Gallagher. There was no indication at that stage of damage having been done to a car but this arrived the next day and she subsequently took a statement from Mr Gallagher.

On May 16 th the defendant called to see her but he declined to make a statement. He admitted there had been words on the night and he alleged Mr Gallagher had tried to run him over with his car.

Garda Cusack said Mr Gallagher had told her he wanted the defendant cautioned, not prosecuted but Mr Gallagher told the court he did not recall saying that.

Mr Gallagher told Judge Kilrane that the defendant hit the car with his hand, “straight down with his knuckles.” Pics of the alleged damage were handed in to court.

The Judge remarked that it seemed to be caused by a sharp object. Mr Gallagher said he hadn’t got the damage fixed yet.

Judge Kilrane adjourned the case for a week in order to hear from the defendant who wasn’t present in court.

At the resumed hearing, Ms Spellman said the defendant was out of the jurisdiction.

The case was adjourned to February 8th.