Man smashed Garda Station glass hatch with his fist

Man put fist through Garda Station glass hatch


AN EXTREMELY busy night in Westport Garda Station developed into a dramatic and violent scene after a young man put his fist through the glass hatch in the foyer of the station, Garda Margaret O’Connor revealed last week.
Mr Kevin Kay, of Carrabawn, Westport, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage before the town’s district court sitting. The court was told that Mr Kay was at the station to report an earlier assault, by a small group of men and women, on his girlfriend. Both Mr Kay and his girlfriend, who attended the station with him, were intoxicated, the garda said.
Garda O’Connor told Judge Mary Devins that in the early hours of September 27 last, the officers on duty at the station were very busy, partly to do with a serious car crash and the presence in the station of a violent prisoner.
“Suddenly at 3.11am there was an explosion on the inside of the hatch. Both Garda O’Hora and I had to take evasive action to avoid the shards of glass. I then saw Kevin Kay banging on the glass with his fists and screaming abuse,” Garda O’Connor told the court.
“He did not cooperate with us for about half-an-hour,” she continued.
Under questioning by Mr Aidan Crowley, counsel for the accused, the garda also confirmed she had seen the marks on the girl’s face and had advised the couple to go to Westdoc.
Mr Crowley said: “The situation is that Mr Kay is 21 years of age and an unemployed painter and decorator. His girlfriend was assaulted by a small group of men and women. My instructions are he knocked twice on the glass panel and on the third time it broke.”
“He rang the following day and apologised,” Mr Crowley added.
It was confirmed the damage caused amounted to €201.46.
Jude Mary Devins decided to adjourn sentencing to May 20 next to allow the Probation Services time to carry out a Community Services Report.
“If their findings are suitable I will impose one hundred hours of Community Service in lieu of a three-month prison sentence and he must pay compensation for the breakage,” Judge Devins said.