Accused torched ex-partner’s bin after finding her cheating on him
By Tom Tuite
A 29-YEAR-OLD man, who claimed he torched his ex-partner’s wheelie bin after he “walked in” on her cheating with someone else, has been given a chance to avoid a criminal conviction.
Alan Mahony, with an address at Kiltalown Green, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to a criminal damage charge at Dublin District Court on Monday last.
Dublin District Court
Garda John Byrne told Judge Carol Anne Coolican that Mahony set fire to a wheelie bin at about midnight on Sept. 27, 2017 at his former girlfriend’s home in Tallaght.
Mahony, who caused €600 worth of damage, had no prior criminal convictions.
He made no reply when charged and did not address the court.
His solicitor Evan Moore told the judge the bin belonged to Mahony’s then partner. He set fire to it because he had found out she was cheating on him with someone else, and he walked in on them.
Pleading for leniency, Mr Moore asked the court to note the incident happened three years ago and since then his client had “completely turned his life around”.
He has not come to further garda attention, the court heard.
Mahony moved to Mayo and has a new partner and a child, his solicitor told the court.
He plans to move to Columbia to work in a scaffolding business with his new partner’s father.
However, he is currently unemployed.
Mahony was willing to pay his ex-girlfriend for the damage. The prosecuting garda accepted the accused was helpful and that he knew it was wrong.
Judge Coolican directed Mahony to pay the money to the injured party via Garda Byrne.
She remanded him on continuing bail and said if the money was paid she would dismiss the charge.
The case was adjourned until a date in December.
Legal aid was granted.
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