Apartment door kicked in by dad on suspended term

A 37 year old man who kicked in the door of his family’s emergency accommodation provided by Focus Ireland, said he did so ‘out of frustration’.

Dean McCluskey of Old Quay Court pleaded guilty to criminal damage of a front door at the above address, property of Focus Ireland.

The court was told on May 27 th last gardaí were called to Old Market Court at 1pm where they observed McCluskey, his wife Aisling and their children in the hallway.

Ms McCluskey was told to bring her children inside and gardaí observed the door and lock of the apartment were damaged.

She told gardaí her husband had come back from Dublin and kicked in the apartment door when she would not open in.

Sligo District Court was told the damage to the door was €600.

McCluskey, originally from Dublin, but living in Sligo for nine years has 12 previous convictions, including possession of stolen property.

Ms McCluskey told the court her family were put into that emergency accommodation provided by Focus Ireland and were awaiting a house.

“I should have opened the door when he knocked,” Ms McCluskey told Judge Kevin Kilrane.

“He was due home from Dublin the week previous and he hadn’t made contact,” she added.

Mr Gerard McGovern, defending solicitor, told the court his client and their family had been getting on well.

The court was told McCluskey had been given an 18 month prison sentence last year for the possession of stolen property and had served six months of this, with one year suspended.

“I could send him back to Circuit Court to serve the remaining sentence,” Judge Kilrane said.

Mr McGovern replied saying his client did not go out to commit a crime.

“To go and kick in a door and break it while on a suspended sentence speaks of the man he is,” said the judge.

McCluskey told the court he had not taken medication in five days and was frustrated and ‘ lost the rag’.

McCluskey said he was not a violent person and was a carer for his wife and children.

“You kicking in that door could impact on her remaining at that accommodation and could affect her getting a house with the local authority,” Judge Kilrane told him.

Judge Kilrane put the matter back to December 3rd next and warned McCluskey if there was a credible allegation of offending of any type he would be sending him back to the Circuit Court where the remaining sentence of 12 months in prison could be reactivated.