Damaged door while he was ‘loaded to gills'

A QUANTITY surveyor who was ‘loaded to the gills’ ended up damaging the front door of a house in Dunmanway,  but has no memory of doing it, a court heard recently.

Eoin Murray (23) of Tower, Dunmanway pleaded guilty at Clonakilty District Court to damaging the front door and frame at a property at 3 Castle Street in the town.

Sgt Paul Kelly told the court that on September 15th last Ruth Joy told gardaí the front door of her house was broken during the night.

‘Gardaí examined CCTV from the area which showed a male walking up and down the street the previous night for about 30 minutes,’ said Sgt Kelly.

‘It captured 45 people visible across that period and the defendant was picked out from them. 

‘At 3.12am he was picked up by a camera pushing his shoulder against a number of doors and at 3.28am he was seen pushing against this particular door.’

Sgt Kelly said that a neighbour of the injured party ended up fixing the door for €50.

Defence solicitor Ray Hennessy said his client had no idea where he was or any recollection of the incident and that he tried to pay the compensation and had €150 in court.

‘He is absolutely mortified by it and he apologises profusely to the house owner. He was loaded to the gills on the night and didn’t know where he was,’ said Mr Hennessy.

‘He did make several enquires afterwards about paying compensation for the damage.’

Judge James McNulty said he was surprised at the defendant’s conduct and convicted and fined him €250 which was paid in court.