Judge issues stern warning in Mayo harrassment case
Judge Alan Mitchell said he would 'strongly recommend' that the compensation was paid.
A man who harassed his neighbour has been ordered to pay full compensation to the victim or run the risk of a prison sentence.
In May of this year, Michael King, aged 54, of Glenview, Glenamoy, pleaded guilty at Belmullet District Court to harassing his neighbour Stephen Naughton.
The court was told that King erected a banshee-type figure during a campaign of harassment against his elderly neighbours. Harrassment and anti-social behaviour had been ongoing since 2019 and was reported Gardaí in November 2023.
The defendant would stare at the injured party when he met him out walking and dumped rubbish and leaves over his neighbour’s wall.
A banshee-type figure was erected and pointed directly towards Mr Naughton’s kitchen window. On another occasion, King threw stones onto his neighbour’s roof.
The court was told that King is a tenant of Mayo County Council and is paying €38 a week for the property.
The Naughtons installed CCTV at a cost of €2,000 following King’s actions.
At the May hearing, Judge James Faughnan directed that King reimburse his victims that amount. The defendant was given three months to pay and told if he was struggling to find the money then he should “get a job like everyone else".
When the case came before the court again on Wednesday, King had €1,000 in court with half of the money outstanding.
He told the court his brother had died, and he had a funeral director's bill to pay.
King said he could have the rest of the money by the middle of next month.
Insp Dermot Butler said King had won €2,000 in a local lotto, but the Glenamoy man said the win occurred well before his case came to court.
Judge Alan Mitchell said he would “strongly recommend” that King find the rest of the cash or he could face a potential prison sentence.
The case was adjourned to November 11 for finalisation.
- Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.
