'You need to keep busy': Judge gives Cork vandal chance to avoid criminal record

A Cork man who admitted vandalising a shop has been given a chance by a district court judge to avoid a criminal conviction if he can make amends for the damage caused.

The accused man, Joe Byrne, aged 20, of Breeny Beg, Kealkill, Co Cork, appeared before a recent sitting of Bantry District Court.

Court presenter Sergeant Tom Mulcahy told the court that on January 18, 2024, Byrne was spotted by a garda patrol in Wolfe Tone Square, Bantry, where he was seen rolling a joint before putting it to his mouth and lighting it. He was searched and a small amount of cannabis was seized valued at €15.

Byrne also appeared in relation to a penalty for an incident of criminal damage that happened in January 2024. On that occasion, Byrne had drawn and written in permanent marker on the walls of the Gala shop in Kealkill, an outdoor decking area, and the post box.

A previous hearing was told that when Byrne was questioned, he admitted to vandalising the store and said: “I like to draw.”

The court heard that the cost of cleaning the premises was €300.

Defence solicitor Flor Murphy said that Byrne had no previous convictions, but had ongoing “huge” mental health issues and had previously been in psychiatric care. He said that Byrne had €100 in court of the €300 requested at the previous hearing.

Judge Joanne Carroll said that Byrne seemed to think cannabis helped his mental health situation, but it did not. She added: “I don’t want to criminalise him, he is engaging with the mental health services.”

She told Byrne: “You need to keep busy and you need to keep out of trouble.”

She ordered Byrne to engage with the probation service with a view to training and employment, and also ordered him to carry out 15 hours of voluntary work. He was remanded on continuing bail until July 24.

• This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.