Man smashed Laois house windows during the night

A man arrived at a house in the middle of the night and turned off the power before smashing all of the windows. 

John Delaney, 31, of Cardtown, Mountrath pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal damage and of producing an article at Bellview Court in Mountrath on November 7, 2022. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby explained that the incident occurred at an address in Mountrath at 2.30am. He said the defendant arrived and “he turned off the power to the house” and tried to get into the house. 

The man then produced a black wavin pipe and proceeded to break all of the windows in the house causing €9,500 worth of damage. He said the man had five previous convictions. 

Solicitor Philip Meagher said he had a difficulty with the valuation of the damage to the windows. 

Judge Nicola Andrews told Mr Meagher that there was a lengthy court list. She adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on March 11 in order to resolve any issue around the valuation.