Man with 55 previous convictions smashed in window of rental car in Cork town

A drunk man who threw a bottle in the air, smashing the window of a parked car in Kinsale, Co Cork, has pleaded guilty to three offences in the district court.

Sergeant Eimear O’Connell told Bandon District Court that Thomas Plunkett, aged 44, of Cramer’s Court, Belgooly, Co Cork, was in the centre of Kinsale town at 3.30pm on July 5, 2025. 

Plunkett was observed by witnesses throwing a beer bottle in the air that smashed through the window of Volkswagen T-Cross rental car that was parked nearby.

He was arrested a short time later on Pier Road, Kinsale, were he was identified by witnesses as the man who had thrown the beer bottle that damaged the car. His behaviour when arrested was described as “erratic” and he was unsteady on his feet and smelled of alcohol. The court heard that Plunkett had 55 previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Myra Dinneen said that Plunkett “grappled with addiction” and had brought €477 in compensation for the damage to the window.

She said Plunkett was undertaking a course in pre-paramedic studies with a view to becoming a paramedic and was also undergoing treatment.

When Judge Joanne Carroll said that she was considering community service as a penalty, Ms Dinneen said that she appreciated it was unusual but her client would prefer to be given a suspended sentence to act as a deterrent. She said that Plunkett wanted to improve his situation.

For criminal damage, Plunkett was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

For being drunk in public and threatening and abusive behaviour, he was admitted to a probation bond for 12 months on condition that he engages with alcohol treatment services.

• This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme