Kildare man (73) alleged to have caused €20k damage to ESB machine
Photo for illustrative purposes only
AN “elderly gentleman” who allegedly caused €20,000 worth of damage to an ESB machine was warned “this may end before a jury”.
Appearing in Naas District Court last week charged with a single count of criminal damage was Tom O’Shea (73), with an address at Wheelam, Milltown, Newbridge.
“He damaged property belonging to Bord na Mona, or another private entity,” began Sergeant Dave Hanrahan, before turning a page in the charge documents and correcting himself: “ESB, judge”.
“He’s alleged to have damaged some sort of tractor machine,” said the sergeant.
“How?” enquired Judge Desmond Zaidan, of the slight figure down the back of the court.
“He hit it with an excavator,” said the sergeant. “There’s been an ongoing series of events”.
“It’s a very, very long-running saga,” concurred defending solicitor Brian Larkin.
“I haven’t got the full facts, only the bare bones, but it has been going on for years,” he added.
“Something to do with land and borders,” added Sgt Hanrahan.
Judge Zaidan accepted this, and remanded O’Shea on continuing bail until 27 September.
“How much was the alleged damage?” asked the judge out of curiosity.
“This may no be accurate, but this says €20,000,” said the sergeant, to an audible gasp in the courtroom.
“This may end before a jury,” the judge warned Mr O’Shea, as the estimated value of the alleged damage would be too much – if proven correct – for the Judge Zaidan to keep proceedings in his court.
