Man drank “copious” amounts of alcohol and damaged Laois hotel room

A man who had “compious amounts” of drink caused damage of €2,409 to a hotel room in Laois. 

Daniel Lee (28) of 9 Stoney Meadows, Old Cratloe Road, Limerick, admitted being intoxicated and causing criminal damage at the Midlands Park Hotel on January 24, 2025. 

He is accused of damaging a door number sign, fire alarm, smoke alarm,  wall light, locking mechanism, various glass and a landline phone.  

Ebony O’Donoghue (24) also of 9 Stoney Meadows, Old Cratloe Road, Limerick, admitted being intoxicated and engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour at the Midlands Park Hotel on the same date. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the man had checked into room 232 with a woman and the “fire alarm had been set off repeatedly” during the night. 

“There were guests during the night calling reception about disturbances in the room,” said Sgt Kirby. He described the damage to the room as “significant” and produced photographs for Judge Susan Fay. The receipt for the damage was €2,409, he said. Sgt Kirby said the accused is currently serving a six months suspended sentence. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client had been “on a night out with his partner” and “had copious amounts of alcohol” as he was “drinking effectively for the day”. 

He said his client is committed to paying compensation for the damage caused to the hotel room. He said the man had brought €500 to court and if given two months would pay the remainder. 

“All his trouble seems to happen when he drinks alcohol,” said Mr Fitzgerald. 

He said the man was now addressing his alcohol issues and if given two months he would return with compensation and documentary evidence of the steps he was taking to address his issues with alcohol. 

Judge Susan Fay agreed to adjourn the matter back to Portlaoise District Court on June 9.  She ordered a probation report and requested evidence of his engagement with probation services. 

Sgt Kirby said Ms O’Donoghue was intoxicated and “roaring and shouting” when gardai were dealing with her partner. He said she had no previous convictions. 

Ms Fitzgerald said “there was copious amounts of alcohol consumed” and the defendant was “riled up” but she was pleading guilty and had no previous convictions. 

Judge Fay said she would apply the probation act if the defendant donated €300 to the court poor box by June 9. She said the default if she fails to make the donation would be a conviction and a fine of €350.