Guilty plea from Ballina man who threatened to harm public servants

A judge has requested a pre-sanction report be compiled on a Ballina man who ‘outrageously and inexcusably’ leapt over the counter in the local civic offices and threatened two housing officers.

Stephen Maughan, aged 27, of Fenian Row, Ballina, pleaded guilty at the local district court to threatening to harm the two public servants, contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, on September 8, 2022. He also admitted a public order breach.

At a recent hearing, Sgt Conor McShane said the accused called at the Civic Offices in Ballina for a discussion with housing officers Aidan Mulvihill and Derek Walsh about a council house.

Maughan became irate and verbally abusive when he was informed that his new residence was going to be in a particular location, and he jumped over the counter and warned the men: “I will get you.” 

Judge Fiona Lydon was informed last week by Sgt John O’Reilly that the men did not wish to make victim impact statements.

Maughan has no previous convictions.

Solicitor Peter Loftus said his client learnt a relative had a condition on the day and he has written an apology for the men and signed up for an anger management course starting on February 6.

Judge Lydon requested the report on the father of two and adjourned the case until March 26, 2024.