Latest news with #CriminalDamageAct
Sunday World
4 days ago
- Sunday World
Dad-of-five crashed car into mum and daughter and assaulted Garda in rampage
Owen Orr, who has 31 previous convictions, punched a fellow motorist in the face, assaulted a Garda, damaged his motorbike and crashed his car into a mother and daughter A man who was described as having a very high IQ but who is a 'Jekyll and Hyde' character after drinking alcohol has appeared in court after going on a rampage in Co Donegal. Owen Orr committed a series of offences on St Valentine's Day in 2019 leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. The father-of-five punched a fellow motorist in the face, assaulted a Garda, damaged his motorbike and crashed his car into a mother and daughter. Orr, who has 31 previous convictions, appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to a range of offences which all occurred on the same evening. The 32-year-old is charged that, at Cullion Road, Letterkenny, he assaulted Garda Michael Kilcoyne, a peace officer, acting in the course of his duty. The charge is contrary to Section 19 (3) of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, as amended by Section 185 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006. Owen Orr at Letterkenny Circuit Court. Photo: North West Newspix Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 17th He is also charged that he did without lawful excuse damage property, to wit, a Garda Honda motorcycle, belonging to the Chief Superintendent, An Garda Siochana. The charge is contrary to Section 2 (1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. Orr is charged with the unlawful interference with a mechanically propelled vehicle, the property of Charles Bonner, while such vehicle was stationary at Manorcunningham by removing the key from the ignition. The charge is contrary to Section 113 or the Road Traffic Act, 1961, as amended by Section 6 of the Road Traffic Act, 1968 and Section 18 of the Road Traffic Act, 2006. He is also charged with dangerous driving on the N13 on February 14th, 2019 He is further charged that, at Dromore, Letterkenny, on February 14, 2019, that he did without lawful excuse damage property, to wit, a Toyota Corolla belonging to Kathleen Birch intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged. The charge is contrary to Section 2 (1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. He is also charged with failing to report an accident when injury was caused to property or a person at Dromore Lower on February 14th, 2019 being the driver of a vehicle involved in the accident. Owen Orr at Letterkenny Circuit Court. Photo: North West Newspix Other charges were also taken into account by the court. Prosecutor for the State, Ms Fiona Crawford, BL, along with Garda Daire Sheridan outlined the series of events on the day which led to Orr's arrest. He told how another motorist, Charles Bonner, was driving on the dual carriageway into Letterkenny when he saw another car overtaking a series of other vehicles before pulling in front of him. Mr Bonner flashed his lights at the car but the other driver, now known to be Owen Orr, slammed on his brakes forcing the other driver to brake. Mr Bonner stopped and the driver of the other car came over, punched him in the nose, pulled the keys out of his jeep and then threw them into a hedge and drove off with the entire incident being captured on dashcam. At Dromore Lower, some kilometres down the road, Mrs Kathleen Birch and her daughter were traveling towards Letterkenny down Lurgybrack when a car pulled out and smashed into them. Mrs Birch suffered pain in her back and legs and feared her car was going to go on fire as other motorists came to her aid. The driver of the other car fled on foot but left his wallet with bank cards and identification at the scene. Garda motorcyclist Michael Kilcoyne arrived at the scene of the accident and went in search of the driver of the other car and found Owen Orr walking at nearby Cullion Road. He addressed Orr who became aggressive and assaulted the Garda by grabbing him by the neck causing his motorbike to fall to the ground. A scuffle broke out and Orr lashed out at the arresting officer by kicking him before he was taken to Letterkenny Garda Station for questioning. While in the station, Orr refused to give either a blood or urine sample to a registered nurse. The accused man was interviewed four days later when sober and the court was told he was very apologetic about the incident. Barrister for Orr, Mr Ciaran Elders, BL, directed by solicitor Frank Dorrian, said his client was very cooperative during the second interview describing him as a 'Jekyll and Hyde' character when he had alcohol taken. He added that he finds himself in a better place today and has been sober since 2023 after two periods in rehabilitation apart from a small lapse. The accused man had a total of €2,000 in compensation to offer including a sum to replace the €500 key for Mr Bonner's jeep, another €750 for the damage to his glasses and €750 to be given to a charity of Garda Kilcoyne's choice. A further €500 was also available to Mrs Birch while the court was also told that civil proceedings are also ongoing arising from the collision. Mr Elders added that his client was now trying to put his life back together and was a man with a high IQ with five children, the oldest of which were also academically gifted and wanted to attend college. Judge Roderick Maguire addressed the accused and asked him how his family were now keeping and how his life was now that he is trying to remain sober. Orr said that he was attending AA meetings four times a week. The reason the case has taken so long to come before the court was that Orr was involved in a very serious car accident during Covid lockdown and was seriously injured, the court was told. Mr Elders suggested to Judge Maguire that if he was considering a custodial sentence that perhaps he would consider suspending the sentence for a long period so his client could be encouraged not to engage in negative behaviour again. He added that now that it appears that Orr has been rehabilitated and has also come a long way since this incident in 2019, he was not sure how a custodial sentence could benefit Orr or society at large. He said Orr was available to undertake community service and ended by asking the court to be as lenient as possible. Judge Maguire said he will deliver his final sentence next week.
The Irish Sun
07-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Woman, 34, facing trial for ‘solely' setting fire to bus causing €477k damage during Dublin riots weeps in court
A WOMAN accused of "solely" setting fire to a Dublin Bus, which was "completely destroyed" during the November 2023 riots, has been sent forward for trial. Violence broke out after a girl, aged five, was severely wounded, and two other Advertisement Leanne Kelly, 34, who is from She was charged last week and faced her latest appearance before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court on Monday when The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that she face "trial on indictment" at a higher level with greater sentencing powers. Judge Finan acceded to a request from prosecutor Sharon Rossiter to grant a return for trial, sending her case forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Advertisement Read more in News When Ms Kelly was first charged in April, the judge set her bail at €300 and required a €3,000 independent surety, which had to be approved before Ms Kelly could be released under strict terms. However, she had been unable to take it up and remained in custody since then. Her solicitor, Niall O'Connor, asked the court to consider reducing the bail, adding that her client would be able to live with relatives in Co Wicklow and was a different person now. However, Detective Garda Barry Brennan objected. Advertisement Most read in Irish News Exclusive He agreed with Mr O'Connor that the bus had already been damaged before Ms Kelly allegedly got involved. However, he maintained that she "solely caused it to be set alight". He alleged the incident occurred during the "Dublin riots" and he claimed that at about 7.30 pm, Ms Kelly picked up a piece of rubbish and ran to a garda car that had been set on fire. Detective Garda Brennan said she "extracted flames from the garda car onto the piece of rubbish and she ran to the Dublin Bus". The court heard it had already been abandoned after being surrounded by rioters. Advertisement It was claimed that Ms Kelly ran onto the bus and threw the burning rubbish on the ground. TRIAL PLEA The accused wept as she pleaded to be freed pending the trial telling the court: "I have no intention of f****** this up". She spoke out saying she had suffered trauma at a young age, was living in a tent at the time of the riots, and there had been a family bereavement while she was in custody. Judge Finan decided to reduce the surety to €1,000 and emphasised that if taken up, she must obey conditions set earlier: reside at Kilbride Grove, Bray, Co Wicklow, obey an 11pm to 6am curfew, sign on daily at the local Garda station, and remain contactable by phone. Advertisement The charge under Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act carries a possible 10-year sentence and a €10,000 fine. Ms Kelly was granted legal aid and told she must notify prosecutors if she intends to use an alibi in her defence. gardaí were also directed to hand over interview videos to the defence. To date, 85 people have been arrested in connection with the Dublin riots, with 66 charged. Meanwhile, a man awaits trial accused of attempted murder of three children earlier that day at Parnell Square in the city centre. Advertisement 1 A woman accused of 'solely' setting fire to a Dublin Bus has been sent forward for trial Credit: PA
The Journal
23-06-2025
- The Journal
Man charged with causing damage to the Taoiseach's Cork constituency office
A MAN CHARGED with causing criminal damage to the constituency office of the Taoiseach in Cork has been ordered to stay away from the area and to refrain from any contact, indirect or direct, with Micheál Martin or his staff members. Thomas Heising of Frankfield Terrace, Summerhill South, Cork city appeared before a sitting of Cork District Court today, charged with damaging property, namely the walls, door and windowsill of 137 Evergreen Road in Cork on 27 May. The offence is contrary to Section 2(1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. Sergeant Chris Cahill said Heising made no reply when the charge was put to him under caution. Heising, 34, was arrested on Saturday and charged with the offence yesterday. No objection to bail was made in the case. Certain bail conditions were put in place. Heising was ordered to have no contact, direct or indirect, with the Taoiseach, his staff or any public officials. This includes contacting persons on social media. He also has to stay away from Evergreen Road. Advertisement Judge Mary Dorgan also warned the accused not to involve himself in commentary in relation to the case. This includes commentary which may take place on social media platforms. Defence solicitor Shane Collins Daly said that his client had co operated fully with gardaí during his garda interview. Cahill confirmed that this was the case. Heising was asked if he agreed to abide by the conditions of his bail. He replied 'I am.' Under the terms of his bail, Heising is required to sign on twice weekly at Anglesea Street Garda station in Cork city. He also has to reside at his home in Summerhill South. Sergeant Aisling Murphy applied for a six-week remand in the case. Heising was remanded on bail to appear before Cork District Court on 25 June next for DPP directions. Judge Dorgan told him to refrain from using intoxicants in the intervening period. No details were given as to the particulars of the damage caused to the constituency office.
Sunday World
23-06-2025
- Sunday World
Man charged with criminal damage to Taoiseach's office warned to stay away from area
Thomas Heising (34) of Frankfield Terrace, Summerhill South, Cork city appeared before a sitting of Cork District Court today. A man charged with causing criminal damage to the constituency office of the Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Cork has been ordered to stay away from the area and to refrain from any contact, indirect or direct, with Mr Martin or his staff members. Thomas Heising of Frankfield Terrace, Summerhill South, Cork city appeared before a sitting of Cork District Court today charged with damaging property on Evergreen Road in Cork on May 27 last. The offence is contrary to Section 2(1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. Sgt Chris Cahill said Mr Heising made no reply when the charge was put to him under caution. Mr Heising (34) was arrested on Saturday and charged with the offence yesterday. Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Photo: PA. News in 90 Seconds - Monday June 23 No objection to bail was made in the case. Certain bail conditions were put in place. Mr Heising was ordered to have no contact, direct or indirect, with the Taoiseach, his staff or any public officials. This includes contacting persons on social media. He also has to stay away from Evergreen Road. Judge Mary Dorgan also warned the accused not to involve himself in commentary in relation to the case. This includes commentary which may take place on social media platforms. Defence solicitor Shane Collins Daly said that his client had cooperated fully with gardaí during his garda interview. Sgt Cahill confirmed that this was the case. Mr Heising was asked if he agreed to abide by the conditions of his bail. He replied 'I am.' Under the terms of his bail Mr Heising is required to sign on twice weekly at Anglesea Street Garda station in Cork city. He also has to reside at his home in Summerhill South. Sgt Aisling Murphy applied for a six week remand in the case. Mr Heising was remanded on bail to appear before Cork District Court on July 25 next for DPP directions. Judge Dorgan told him to refrain from using intoxicants in the intervening period. No details were given as to the particulars of the damage caused to the constituency office.
Irish Examiner
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Man charged with vandalising Taoiseach's office in Cork released on bail
A 34-year-old man gave an undertaking to stay away from the constituency office of An Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Cork after he was arrested and charged with causing criminal damage by daubing it with slogans. Sergeant Chris Cahil arrested Thomas Heising of Frankfield Terrace, Summerhill South, Cork, on the night Saturday, June 21, and charged him on the following day with causing criminal damage. On Monday the defendant was brought before Judge Mary Dorgan at Cork District Court. There was no objection to bail being granted to the accused. Judge Dorgan adjourned the case until July 28, on the application of Sergeant Aisling Murphy, to allow time for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Bail Bail conditions require him to sign on twice weekly at Anglesea Street garda station between the hours of 9am and 9pm, reside at the Summerhill South address and stay away from the environs of the constituency office of An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin at 137 Evergreen Road, Turner's Cross, Cork. He is also required to have no contact, direct or indirect, including on social medial platforms, with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD, or any staff members of the constituency office and engage in no commentary, including on social media platforms, in respect of matters before the court. These were the conditions required by the prosecution. Shane Collins-Daly, solicitor, said the accused man agreed to all of these conditions. Charge The charge states that: 'On May 27 at 137 Evergreen Road, Turner's Cross, Cork, he did without lawful excuse damage property, to wit, the walls, door and windowsill of 137 Evergreen Road, intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged, contrary to Section 2(1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991.' It was previously reported that the office was vandalised with the words related to Israel and Palestine including the words, 'Zionist pawn', written on a window, as well as red paint daubed on the walls.
