Ballinlough man who shovelled gritting salt on to cars parked outside neighbour's house appeals jail term

A 62-year-year-old man from Ballinlough who shovelled gritting salt on cars parked outside his neighbour’s house appealed an eight-month jail term today but the judge was concerned at his complete lack of insight, empathy or remorse.

At one stage in the appeal Judge Sinead Behan asked for Richard Ahern of Knockrea Drive, off Ballinlough Road, Cork, to be taken into custody while she considered what to do about the appeal.

“I am very concerned – You have no insight whatsoever,” the judge said.

Barrister Neal Horgan appealed the case on the 62-year-old’s behalf, referring to particular physical impairments with which the defendant had to live. Judge Behan wanted the appellant to be sworn in so that she could talk to him directly.

“It doesn’t seem to me that you are one bit sorry,” the judge said.

“I have to protect my property,” he replied. “Are you sorry?” the judge asked, and he replied: “I felt I was forced into doing what I did.” 

“What steps have you taken to resolve this?” the judge asked. And Richard Ahern replied: “I have parked two trailers in front of my house.” 

Judge Behan said the probation report indicated that Mr Ahern felt like he was the victim and not the accused.

Frank Nyhan said the family living next door to Richard Ahern just wanted to be left alone. 

Sergeant John Kelleher said that when the adult daughters of the couple next door parked in front of their own parents house they had gritting salt shovelled on to their windscreens and the front grills of their cars by the appellant.

When charged with one criminal damage offence and released on bail he committed another offence of the same kind, the sergeant said. This occurred in June last year.

Ultimately, he got an eight-month jail term. 

Today at Cork Circuit Appeals Court, Judge Behan adjourned the appeal until October 14, ordering him to stay away from the family next door and not to approach them, and to keep the peace and abide by any directions which the gardaí might have in relation to the matter including any directions they might have about the trailers he parked outside his house.

He was threatening and abusive to one of the women who parked, Sgt Kelleher said, adding that he called her names.

The first criminal damage charge related to Tuesday June 18 at Knockrea Drive when a car was damaged. The second charge concerns Friday June 21 when the same 62-year-old man caused criminal damage to another car. 

Even though he pleaded guilty to those charges he claimed – as recently as today’s appeal – “I didn’t damage their cars.”