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Sunday World
25-07-2025
- Sunday World
Man who smashed windows and cars with a hammer in housing estate rampage jailed
Stephen Collins (34) carried out 'an appalling spree of violence' at St Mary's Crescent, Westport Windows from the Order of Malta at St John's Place, Westport, and the nearby HSE residential unit, as well as multiple parked cars, were indiscriminately damaged as a result of the rampage by Stephen Collins. Photo: Conor McKeown The Order of Malta building in Westport, which had its windows smashed by Stephen Collins Photo: Conor McKeown Multiple properties were damaged as a result of the rampage by Stephen Collins. Photo: Conor McKeown A man who caused €55,000 of criminal damage with a hammer during a rampage at a Westport housing estate that was home to a number of vulnerable adults has been sentenced to five-and-half-years in jail. Stephen Collins of St Mary's Villa, Westport, caused extensive damage to cars and buildings during a drug-fuelled rampage. Collins, who has 100 previous convictions, had been staying with a relative in Westport at the time of the incident, which occurred in the early hours of September 27, 2024. The 34-year-old used a hammer to smash windows and damage parked vehicles in the estate that was home to vulnerable adults with special needs. When gardaí arrived on the scene, Collins threatened them with the hammer and refused to desist. After being subdued with the assistance of the Armed Support Unit, he was arrested and conveyed to Westport Garda Station. He was remanded in custody and pleaded guilty to criminal damage prior to Friday's sitting of Castlebar Circuit Court. The Order of Malta building in Westport, which had its windows smashed by Stephen Collins Photo: Conor McKeown The court heard that Collins had been staying with a relative at St Mary's Villa, Westport, when he took a hammer and smashed the windows of parked vehicles and damaged a wheelchair accessible bus beyond repair in St Mary's Crescent. Collins then proceeded to shatter the windows at the Westport Order of Malta headquarters before smashing the windows at the HSE-owned Mayo Community Living facility. Three highly dependent wheelchair users with complex medical needs were asleep in the facility at the time. One resident with dementia woke with glass on their bed as the defendant proceeded to shatter bedroom, sitting room and kitchen windows and damage the front door. He also shouted at staff and residents and threatened to kill them. Staff took measures to ensure the residents were safe before locking themselves in the bathrooms on garda advice. A car in Westport damaged by Stephen Collins Photo: Conor McKeown Collins caused a total of €55,595.68 in damage to the HSE building, several vehicles and the Order of Malta building. Garda Paul Harte told the court that he and a garda colleague arrived at St Mary's Villas at 3.33am. When they attempted to speak to Collins, he went into a property and re-emerged with a claw-hammer. Gda Harte requested the assistance of the Garda Armed Support Unit (ASU) as Collins refused to drop the hammer as requested. While waiting for the ASU to arrive, Collins smacked the hammer off the wall and made 'numerous threats' against everybody present. The ASU arrived 30 minutes later and tasered Collins after he again refused to drop the hammer. He was then subdued, arrested and conveyed to Westport Garda Station, where he refused to answer any questions. The court heard that the residents had to move to another facility for two weeks while their home was being repaired. This, the court was told, was 'very challenging' for the residents and staff, who changed their work location to support the residents. Ellie Ryder, a social care worker with Mayo Community Living, said, in a victim impact statement read to the court: 'To describe how these three people [residents] must have felt being woken to hear a man shouting threats at the two staff members and hearing their windows being broken in their home cannot be captured in words.' Multiple properties were damaged as a result of the rampage by Stephen Collins. Photo: Conor McKeown News in 90 Seconds - July 25th 'Their home, their safe haven, was violated, and being unable to get up to defend themselves or get out of harm's way must have been terrifying.' She described the residents as 'some of the most vulnerable citizens in our community, who have enjoyed a peaceful existence since moving to Westport'. 'Neighbours called the day after this incident to offer their support and kept saying, 'This is not what happens in Westport. It doesn't happen in our community.' Sadly, this is no longer true,' she added. 'We have tried to assure the residents that this should never have happened, that they are safe, but the events of that night, the trauma suffered, will take a long time for these residents to forget. It is hard for them to trust that they are, indeed, safe in their own homes and safe in their own beds when they go to bed at night.' Ms Ryder herself experienced panic attacks in the following weeks and had to attend a GP. She was unable to work nights again for six months due to the trauma she experienced. She said that Collins created 'an atmosphere of chaos and complete terror' on the night. Both she and her colleague, Sylvia Davitt, spent the following day in hospital due to the distress caused by the incident. 'I truly believed we would not make it out alive,' said Ms Ryder, who continues to experience flashbacks of the incident. Both Ms Ryder and Michael Geraghty, a resident of St Mary's Crescent, had their cars damaged beyond repair by Collins. Mr Geraghty said that the safe feeling of the area had been 'disrupted". Collins' barrister, Christina Burke, BL, said her client endured a traumatic childhood and had been a drug user from the age of 15. The court heard Collins had been released from prison in February 2024 and was engaged to a mother of two children. His previous convictions include threats to kill, endangerment, robbery, trespassing, public order offences, possession of an article, possession of a fake instrument and 47 road traffic offences. He has spent ten years of his life in jail. Ms Burke said Collins had taken drugs on the night of his latest offence, for which he expressed 'shame and considerable thought in respect of the victims he wronged'. The court heard Collins had been diagnosed in PTSD and grew up with a violent father in a family who were involved in crime. Judge Eoin Garavan said Collins made a 'calculated decision to go out and destroy some of the neighbourhood. He acknowledged Collins' 'brutalised upbringing' but refused to suspend any of the sentence, describing his actions as 'an appalling spree of violence'. Judge Garavan noted that Collins was deemed to be at 'very high risk' of reoffending and imposed a five-and-a-half-year custodial sentence.
Irish Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man jailed for spraying contents of a syringe at a garda
A 37 year-old man who sprayed a garda in the face with liquid from a syringe after he was called to his home during an episode of self harm has been jailed for 18 months. Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that gardai attended at the home of Trevor Murphy at Millerd Street in Cork city on February 8, 2024 after they received a phone call that a man was threatening to harm himself. Judge Helen Boyle was told that when gardai attended onsite Mr Murphy reacted in an aggressive manner. He had locked himself in the bathroom and refused to co operate with gardai. He told gardai that he would assault them if given the chance to do so. Members of the Armed Support Unit had to break in to the bathroom with Mr Murphy grabbing a needle and a syringe with a liquid it it and spraying it in to the eyes of one of the guards. The accused had to be restrained with pepper spray. The garda needed to take preventative antibiotics. He underwent a blood test where he was found negative for HIV and Hepatitis. Mr Murphy has 64 previous convictions for offences such as robbery and assault. Judge Boyle said that the offence consisted of 'an assault using a syringe.' 'The guard was only there to assist you and to stop you from taking your own life. Gardaí are entitled to go about their duties without risk of serious illness and assault.' She described as mitigating factors in the case the signed plea of guilty to assault and the fact that Mr Murphy was going through a 'mental health crisis.' Judge Boyle also noted that Mr Murphy was making a 'great effort' to beat his alcohol and drug addiction. 'Your drug use exacerbates your mental health difficulties. I am satisfied you have done your best to stay away from drugs and to mind your mental health since this.' She imposed a sentence of two and a half years suspending the last 12 months of the sentence. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Sunday World
17-07-2025
- Sunday World
Man on temporary release from prison tried to reverse into garda van three times
Oisín O'Laoi jailed after pleading guilty to criminal damage, dangerous driving and driving without a license or insurance after drinking in Westport A circuit court judge has said a man on temporary release from prison who attempted to reverse into a garda van three times behaved like 'an utter and complete menace'. Judge Eoin Garavan sentenced Oisín O'Laoi (25) to four years in jail after he pleaded guilty to criminal damage, dangerous driving and driving without a license or insurance while on temporary release from a low-security prison. O'Laoi, of Cregg, Leitir Mealláin, County Galway, made full admissions to the offences after being arrested with assistance from the Armed Support Unit. The court heard that he was on temporary release from Loughan House prison when he went binge drinking on New Year's Eve 2023. O'Laoi, who has 71 previous convictions and a long history of alcohol misuse, consumed Jack Daniels whiskey and several vodkas before driving off in an Opel Insignia, the court heard. At approximately 5am on January 1, 2024, Garda Padraic O'Connor was driving a garda patrol van with Garda Darragh Lyons when he saw O'Laoi driving on the Newport Road in Westport. O'Laoi, who was the sole occupant of the car, drove through a red light on the South Mall before turning left onto Castlebar Street and right onto Distillery Road, through another set of traffic lights, before turning left onto Altamount Street before heading out the Ballinrobe Road. He failed to stop when Gda O'Connor activated the blue lights on the patrol van, and a chase ensued during which O'Laoi drove on the wrong side of the road through six different town lands. On two occasions, O'Laoi waited for the patrol van to catch up to him before attempting to reverse into it. When Gda O'Connor and Gda Lyons lost sight of the van at Moate, Killawalla, Garda Paul Deeley followed O'Laoi, who again tried to reverse into the pursuing garda vehicle. O'Laoi drove into Ashwood estate and ran into his girlfriend's house. Gardaí seized his vehicle and requested the assistance of the Armed Support Unit. O'Laoi had to be pepper sprayed while being arrested before gardaí conveyed him to Westport Garda Station. While being interviewed by gardaí, the 25-year-year old admitted to drinking on the night and that he was not insured to drive the vehicle. Tuesday's sitting of Castlebar Circuit Court heard that O'Laoi received his first driving disqualification when he was 17. He was disqualified from driving for six years by Galway Circuit Court in 2019 and received a second six-year disqualification in 2021. When told he could request the services of a solicitor, O'Laoi replied: 'I don't need one. I f**ked up.' Defending barrister Mark Ryan, BL, acting under instruction from solicitor Gary Mulchrone, said his client was living in Westport where he works as a general operative and groundsman. He is currently in a relationship and has a five-month-old daughter and three other children. Mr Ryan told the court that his client was inclined to drink heavily whenever he does consume alcohol. O'Laoi is currently on medication to alleviate his alcohol cravings and had attended Cuan Mhuire addiction treatment centre in County Galway. 'He is endeavouring to deal with his addictions issue in the best possible way. It continues to be a struggle,' said Mr Ryan. Citing his probation report, Mr Ryan said his client understands the danger he caused to gardaí and that he has to address his addiction. 'When he is sober, these issues don't tend to arise,' said Mr Ryan. He said O'Laoi had apologised to gardaí for his actions and had shown 'genuine empathy and insight'. Mr Ryan requested that the judge be as lenient as possible with sentencing to allow O'Laoi to address his recovery from addiction. O'Laoi had been being granted temporary release from Loughan House low-security prison on October 8. His probation report found him to be at moderate risk of reoffending. His previous convictions include producing a knife, public order offences and 12 convictions for driving without insurance. The court was told that O'Laoi had been under the attention of the probation services since he was 16 years old. Judge Garavan noted O'Laoi's history with alcohol and his early guilty plea but said he had no choice but to impose a custodial sentence for what he labelled 'appalling egregious behaviour'. He imposed a five-year headline sentence, which he reduced to four years on account of mitigating factors, suspending the final year of the sentence for three years. Judge Garavan imposed another one-year sentence to run concurrently and ordered that he be supervised by the probation services for the first year of his three-year suspension.
Irish Examiner
17-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Man accused of brandishing axe at gardaí, telling them: 'Come up here and I'll take your head off'
Gardaí dealing with a report of domestic violence at a family home encountered a man brandishing an axe at the top of the stairs, threatening gardaí he would take their heads off if they came upstairs. These allegations were made on Thursday at an in camera hearing of Cork District Court, where the 30-year-old man was charged with two counts under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act on Wednesday night, July 16. One count relates to an axe, the other to a knife. Garda David Kiely objected to bail being granted to the man. Garda Kiely testified that after 8pm on July 16, gardaí responded to a call from a woman that her adult son was causing a disturbance at the family home and they wished gardaí to speak with him. 'Gardaí entered the residence with permission and were met with [the defendant] at the top of the stairs brandishing an axe and threatening gardaí. 'He waved the axe towards gardaí and stated: 'Come up here and I'll take your head off… Come and see what I'll do to you… You're nothing but a useless c***'. 'A standoff continued until the intervention of the Armed Support Unit, where the accused surrendered to gardaí.' Frank Buttimer, defence solicitor, said members of his client's family had approached him since Wednesday night to indicate they did not want the accused man remanded in custody and the best course would be to have him at home and in compliance with directions from mental health services. Judge William Aylmer granted bail on strict conditions, including he would have only respectful communications with his parents and not put them in fear, be of good behaviour at the family home, advise gardaí if changing address, engage with mental health services, be of sober habits, sign on once a week at his local Garda station, abstain from intoxicants and not take unprescribed medications. The accused was remanded on that bail until July 30.
Sunday World
05-07-2025
- Sunday World
Louth man jailed for ‘almost torture' of victim he livestreamed on Facebook
The injured man was tied to a chair and beaten for more than three hours and a judge said that extracts of the footage played to the court made for 'difficult viewing' A 39-year-old man has been jailed for six years and three months for what a judge described as 'significant violence over a prolonged period of time' against another man he tied to a chair and beat about the head. Judge Dara Hayes said it effectively amounted to a period of 'almost torture' inflicted on the victim. Declan Grimes, Grange Drive, Muirhevnamór, Dundalk, used the man's phone to livestream the attack which took place at a house in Dundalk. He pleaded guilty to a charge of false imprisonment and one of assault causing harm and received concurrent sentences of 7 years, and 3 years, nine months, respectively. These were marked consecutive to a fifteen-month term for affray arising from a separate matter, amounting to a total of 8 years and three months. The final two years were conditionally suspended. The substantive incident occurred at Earls Court, Armagh Road, Dundalk, on May 7/8, 2023, and video clips were played to the circuit court which showed the defendant verbally abusing and threatening the other man. Dundalk Courthouse Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 5th The assault was livestreamed on Facebook. A member of the victim's family recognised the house from a photo on Snapchat. Gardaí were contacted and the Armed Support Unit deployed though by that stage they were unaware that the victim had been released. Evidence was previously heard that the injured party accompanied his former partner to her father's Month's Mind Mass. Mr Grimes, the deceased's best friend, sat beside them. The victim and the woman went to the house in Earls Court where alcohol and cocaine were taken. They were joined at 4am by the defendant and began reminiscing about the deceased man. The next day Mr Grimes and the female went out to get drink. When they returned the victim decided to go out before changing his mind and going back to the house. When he arrived he saw the woman smoking crack cocaine and took the pipe from her. Declan Grimes punched him twice in the mouth. He sought refuge in the bathroom where he was further assaulted, including with the pedestal of the sink. The man locked himself in until effectively lured out by the woman on the false premise that the accused had left. The victim was then subjected to a 'savage beating'. Others joined in but Grimes was the principal offender. The man was tied to a chair and beaten about the head. The attack, with various implements, continued for in excess of three hours. He lost consciousness at times. He was eventually permitted to leave the property. When Gardaí arrived the defendant was spotted at a window. Entry was forced. Once inside officers saw that the house had been cleaned, and the washing machine was on. The defendant had to be subdued with pepper spray before being handcuffed. He has 76 previous convictions, among them five from the circuit court including for assault causing harm, aggravated burglary and making threats to kill. There were district court convictions for assault, robbery, affray, burglary and criminal damage. He has been in custody on these charges since May 9, 2023. Separately, the defendant pleaded guilty to a charge of affray stemming from a confrontation with another man at the Social Welfare Offices in Dundalk on November 15, 2022. When Grimes walked in he spotted a male sitting there. There was bad blood between them. A verbal exchange took place. CTV footage showed the defendant making some movement towards the other man. This person pulled out a knife. There was no actual violence or damage to property. A probation report detailed that Declan Grimes and his twin sister were the eldest of four. His parents were separated. He had a troubled family background including one particular incident of trauma when a child. He began taking cannabis at 10 and drinking alcohol at age 12. He went on to abuse, Ecstasy, heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, his main drug of choice. A random drug test in jail last January came back negative. He was engaged in education courses and was in protective custody. The report continued that the defendant had taken responsibility for his offending and was deeply ashamed. He was at high risk of reoffending. The most serious charges had occurred during the currency of a suspended sentence. The defendant had written a letter to the court in which he said he was tired 'of the revolving door of prison'. Judge Hayes said that extracts of the assault footage 'made for difficult viewing'. The victim received many blows to the head in an attack which was livestreamed on social media. He had suffered 'an horrific ordeal' at the defendant's hands. The six-year and three-month sentence imposed was backdated to May 9, 2023. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
