COURTS: A man who battered a car with his crutch during a road rage incident has been found guilty of causing criminal damage
James Declan Devenney, of 50 Dr McGinley Road, Letterkenny appeared at Letterkenny District Court in relation to the incident which occurred on September 22nd, 2013.
The court heard how the defendant stopped his car, got out of his vehicle and then proceeded to batter the car behind him with his crutch ‘three’ times.
The defendant caused significant damage to the side panel of the vehicle during the incident.
In his statement to Gardaí, Mr Devenney said he became enraged at a motorist who was driving too close to him from behind.
Solicitor for the defendant Kieran O’Gorman told the court his client deeply regretted the incident and had fully compensated the driver for the damage done to his vehicle.
O’Gorman told the court, “My client is unemployed and was under a lot of stress at the time of this incident.
“He was angry the driver behind him was driving so close to him from behind, and he got out of the car.
“He was injured at the time, and had a crutch, and then hit the car with the crutch.
“He regrets his actions and has fully compensated the driver for the damage caused.
“He has a previous convictions for a similar offence in 2008, but he is genuine in his remorse and wants to put this past him and move on.”
Judge Paul Kelly fined Mr Devenney €250 for criminal damage and gave him four months to pay the fine.