Residents of Laois estate were “real victims” of man’s behaviour

Residents “were the real victims” at a Laois estate where three men were drinking and fighting in the early hours of the morning, a court sitting was told. 

John McDonagh (23) of Irishtown, Mountmellick admitted violent disorder, criminal damage and production of a large stick at College View, Mountmellick on April 18 last. 

Garda Cathal Burke said the defendant and two other males were involved in the incident and had been fighting and causing a disturbance between 5am and 6.30am. He said the defendant had thrown a stick at another male which smashed the rear window of a car causing €500 of damage. 

“They had been drinking in a van in the courtyard from midnight onwards,” said Garda Burke. He said two residents had contacted gardaí but more people had moved their cars from the area. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said the people involved were related and included her client and two males aged 32 and 40. She said the man had difficulty with drink and she asked Garda Burke if he believed rehabilitation would benefit the defendant.  

He said “neither of the three males remember what happened” and he agreed that rehabilitation would be beneficial. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said the residents of College View were “the real victims” in the case and her client had made admissions. 

Judge Susan Fay said the incident would have been “really, really terrifying” for residents of College View and she noted some could have young children.

She decided to refer the defendant to the probation services. She adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on February 10 for a probation report.