A MAN took a hatchet to a neighbours partner’s car because he owed him €50, a court heard last week.

Robert Boyers of Church View, Ballinspittle pleaded guilty at Bandon District Court to criminal damage to an Audi A4 on December 9th last.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy said that at 8.30pm that evening gardaí received a report from a man in Ballinspittle that the accused was brandishing a hatchet and struck his partner’s black Audi A4 outside their house.

‘On arrival gardaí spoke to the man’s partner and noticed that damage was caused by the accused to the back wheel alloy. Gda Brian Blake saw the accused standing outside his house and went over to speak to him,’ said Sgt Mulcahy.

‘Mr Boyers said that his neighbour owed him €50. Gda Blake seized the hatchet and arrested the accused and he was conveyed to Bandon Garda Station.’

The court heard in a memo under caution Mr Boyers accepted the hatchet was his, but failed to answer any other questions.

The damage to the alloy wheel came to €100.

Mr Boyers has 56 previous convictions including two for criminal damage and two for the possession of drugs for sale or supply.

Solicitor Clodagh O’Gorman said her client was dealing with significant issues with alcohol and drugs at the time.

‘He recently got diagnosed with liver damage which has been a huge wake up call for him… and is on medication now and is making an appointment to see a psychiatrist,’ said Ms Gorman.

She said her client has apologised for his actions and brought €200 into court.

Mr Boyers told Judge Joanne Carroll that he had lent the injured party’s partner €50.

‘He was shouting up at my window the day before saying I wouldn’t be getting the money,’ said Mr Boyd, who added that he didn’t get the money back.

Judge Carroll said: ‘You can’t go around with a hatchet over money owed to you.’

She directed a probation report and remanded Mr Boyers on continuing bail to April 27th.

The judge warned him that if there are any more issues reported to the gardaí it will be out of her hands.