Cork man with axe who smashed doors and windows in woman's house jailed

A 43-year old man wearing a balaclava and carrying an axe smashed every door and window in the home of a woman in Fermoy as he threatened to kill her.

Last week at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Jason O’Callaghan, of 4 Old Lachnalooha, Mallow, County Cork, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment, with the last year suspended.

In the case, investigated by Detective Garda Dave Barry, it was mentioned by Judge Helen Boyle that the background appeared to have had something to do with a dispute over a dog.

Originally the case was to have been the subject of a trial in June.

But as the jury was about to be sworn in, Brendan Kelly, barrister, asked to have the accused arraigned on a total of five charges.

When this was done, Jason O’Callaghan pleaded guilty to the charges before Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Mr O’Callaghan admitted causing criminal damage to the front door and three windows of a house at Baile Ard, Fermoy, County Cork, on January 16, 2023.

He also admitted to making a threat to kill or cause serious injury to a woman living at that house.

Additionally, he admitted causing criminal damage to a Garda patrol car and possession of a weapon, namely an axe, on the same date.

Finally, he pleaded guilty to resisting Garda Martin Murphy at Emmett St, Fermoy, on the same date.

Judge Boyle said it caused great concern to the householder to have such damage caused to her home by a man who also shouted at her: “I am coming back later, I am going to burn down your house.”

Det Garda Barry said that within a very short time of the reported incident, gardaí stopped the accused in a car close to the scene and he was still in possession of the axe and balaclava.

A total of €2,400 worth of damage was done to the woman’s house in Fermoy.

Jason O’Callaghan had convictions for assault causing harm, assault, arson, hijacking, and possession of a knife.