A couple were told last week that if they break a court order, which prevents them from engaging in anti-social behaviour, it would result in the matter turning into a criminal issue.
Anne and James Collins were before Judge Mary Devins at Ballina District Court to accept an Anti-Social Behaviour Order or ASBO against them.
Under the court order, the couple, James Collins who lives at 68 Riverside Drive, Ballina and Anne Collins of 124 Greenhills Estate, Ballina, are prevented from being drunk and disorderly, having house parties with large amounts of people, playing loud music, threatening or abusing neighbours, revving cars and James Collins is prohibited from urinating in his neighbours’ garden.
Solicitor John Gordon read a statement to the court from a neighbour of James Collins, which detailed herself and her husband’s experiences living beside the Collins’.
“Since 2006 my life has been hell. They dump rubbish in our back garden and get their children to throw stones at our house.”
The statement also highlighted the issue of James and Anne ‘constantly playing loud music’.
“The noise is the worst issue....my husband’s patience has worn thin...We have even gone to the bank to see how we can get out,” read Mr Gordon, adding that the Collins’ neighbours were ‘at their wit’s end’.
Superintendent Joe Doherty told the court that the neighbours were ‘at their wit’s end’ adding that ‘if people don’t take heed of behavioural orders. we’ll arrest, charge and put them before the court’.
Supt Doherty continued: “We want them to behave themselves. We want a strong message to go out that this won’t be accepted.”
Solicitor John Gordon informed Judge Devins that contact had been made with the landlord of the Collins’ rented house but said ‘he hasn’t much interest’.
Judge Devins instructed the couple to abide by the court order or face being prosecuted.
