Trashed hotel room after excess drink

A CHEF from Youghal who trashed a Clonakilty hotel bedroom by breaking a mirror and smashing a lamp, as well as pulling out some of the cupboards, was told by a judge that it is going to cost him financially.

Ciaran Nolan (32) of 27 Larchfield Rise in Youghal in East Cork pleaded guilty to the criminal charge, at a recent sitting of Clonakilty District Court.

Sgt Paul Kelly told the court that at 1.40am on September 13th last, gardái in Clonakilty were contacted by the owner of the Fernhill House Hotel who had heard noises and shouting coming from a room in the hotel.

‘When gardaí arrived at the room and were let in by the defendant, they saw broken pieces of a mirror on the floor, as well as cupboards pulled out and a lamp smashed on the ground,’ the garda told the court.

 ‘There were also particles of glass in the bath and the sink,’ added Sgt Kelly.

The court was told that the defendant has three previous convictions, including assault, for which he had previously received a suspended sentence. He was arrested for the Clonakilty offence and, following an interview under camera, he admitted causing damage to the room, which came to a cost of €400.’

Defence solicitor Conrad Murphy said his client is extremely embarrassed and ashamed about what happened and had the compensation money with him in court.

‘He was at a wedding with his fiancée and now he has come to realise that he has an issue when he drinks too much. He’s at a stage now that he realises alcohol doesn’t agree with him,’ said Mr Murphy.

‘This is going to cost him as he is paying legal fees and he has to pay compensation and the incident has ramifications for his relationship with his fiancée,’  he added.

Judge James McNulty remarked on the suspended sentence that Mr Nolan had for assault and said it was his fourth prosecution.

Judge McNulty convicted the defendant on the criminal damage charge but deferred the penalty until November 19th and also asked for the production of a probation report on that date.