Belcarra man fined for breaking Kenny’s window

A BELCARRA man who broke the window of Enda Kenny’s constituency office and later described the former Taoiseach as a ‘traitor’ has paid €300 in compensation to the Fine Gael Party.
Liam Heffernan of Kilnageer, Belcarra, appeared before last week’s sitting of Castlebar District Court charged with criminal damage for the incident that took place on Tucker Street, Castlebar, in the early hours of Sunday, February 26, last.
Mr Heffernan, who in the past has caused similar damage to the same office, pleaded guilty to the charge and lodged the compensation into the court. On instruction from Judge Mary Devins it will be given to Fine Gael to cover the costs.
The court heard that at approximately 2:35am on Saturday, February 26, Garda Noelle Barrett  was responding to a call about an intoxicated male on Tucker Street, Castlebar. When she arrived at the scene, she observed a male being held by bouncers and the window of the Fine Gael office broken.
Garda Barrett noted that the male – later identified as Mr Heffernan – was ‘highly intoxicated’, ‘covered in blood’ and shouting, ‘I broke the traitor’s office’, ‘he robbed the country. I broke his window before. I’ll do it again’ and ‘ye are just c****, along with those f****** that sold our oil’. Mr Heffernan was subsequently arrested at the scene.
Politically motivated
Representing himself, Mr Heffernan expressed his remorse for his actions and told the court that alcohol played its part on the night in question.
He stated that he ‘couldn’t believe I done the same thing again’ when he woke up the next morning and acknowledged that he has ‘fairly strong feelings against the political system’ that causes him ‘a lot of anxiety’.
Mr Heffernan pleaded with Judge Devins for a suspended sentence, describing himself as a ‘non-violent’ person.
He said that he was ‘banging on the window and didn’t expect it to break’,  adding that it was not an ‘act of utter criminality’.
Mr Heffernan told the court that he was in the process of setting up a non-profit organisation in Castlebar that will offer counselling services.
Asked by Judge Devins if he still drinks, Mr Heffernan stated that he drinks sporadically and when he does, he uses an App to help monitor his intake. He agreed with Inspector Tom Calvey that it would be advisable to abstain from alcohol fully.
The court heard that Mr Heffernan had 14 previous convictions, including community service in lieu of a prison sentence.
Judge Devins fined Mr Heffernan €300 to cover the costs to the injured party and remanded him on continuing bail until July 18, 2018, warning that he will not receive any more chances in the event of any difficulties between now and then.