Teen told garda 'I'll burn your home out'

Eimear Cotter

A TEENAGER who told a garda he would "burn him out of his home" has been ordered to complete community service to avoid jail.

Leon Donnelly (18) also claimed he knew where the garda and his wife liked to drink and that he would kick the garda's "f***ing head in" when he was off-duty.

The defendant had €200 compensation in court for the garda, which a judge said the officer should use to bring his wife away for a weekend.

Smashing

The matter was before the court for sentencing after a judge ordered a community services report.

Judge John Lindsay ordered Donnelly to complete 100 hours community service in lieu of two months in prison.

The defendant, of Ballygall Crescent in Finglas, had admitted before Blanchardstown District Court to a breach of the peace and failing to follow the directions of gardai.

Garda Ciaran Geraghty was observing a car being towed away at Ballygall Crescent on December 28 when Donnelly came along and shouted "you're not f***ing taking that car".

The garda said Donnelly and another man started smashing up the car, which belonged to the defendant.

Gda Geraghty said Donnelly told him "I'll kick your f***ing head in when you're off duty".

The defendant also told Gda Geraghty that he knew where he and his wife lived and what pub they drank in.

Donnelly further told the garda he would burn him out of his home.

Gda Geraghty said he was forced to use his pepper spray on Donnelly.

Defence solicitor Fiona Brennan previously said Donnelly was a young man with a lot of problems, who had struggled against a drug addiction.

Ms Brennan said the defendant is now clean from drugs, is working with Coolmine and has completed his Leaving Cert.

hnews@herald.ie