Man smashes window of taxi and local hotel

Terence Edward O’Hagan, Mount Charles, Banbridge, admitted criminal damage to a window in the Downshire Arms Hotel and criminal damage to a car windscreen.

For each offence he was sentenced to four month in prison, suspended for 18 months.

Banbridge Magistrates Court heard last Thursday that on September 14 last year shortly after 1am police in the town centre received a report of damage to a window and a taxi.

They were given a description of a man and the defendant was found nearby. His right hand was bleeding and he was highly intoxicated.

When interviewed he said he had been ejected from the hotel and broke the window of the car as well as smashing the hotel window with his fist.

He was angry because he was asked to leave and the damage was done through frustration.

Mr Frank McCartan, representing the defendant, said O’Hagan had been asked to leave by bar staff. He felt aggrieved at that and lashed out.

The defendant had paid £35 for the damage to the taxi and an arrangement had been made to pay for the damage to the window.

Mr McCartan added that O’Hagan had been abstaining from alcohol since this incident.

The judge said it was clear the defendant was someone who could not handle drink and should not be drinking.