Mayo man (32) jailed for four years for criminal damage and assault

A man has been jailed for a series of offences including criminal damage and assaulting a woman.

Peter Collins, aged 32, St. Mary’s Villas, Westport, pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court to criminal damage, assault causing harm, and allowing himself to be carried in a stolen vehicle.

On May 13, 2024, a taxi operator reported his Hiace minibus stolen from Church Lane in Westport.

The keys were left in the ignition when the man went into his office.

Collins had earlier greeted the bus operator in the street, shaking hands with him while wearing gloves.

CCTV showed a co-accused entering the driver's seat with Collins getting in the passenger side.

Later that day, gardaí learned the men were travelling in the direction of Ballinrobe and a checkpoint was put in place at Cross village.

As the minibus approached the checkpoint, it rear-ended another vehicle that had stopped and also collided with a garda vehicle, which the minibus then attempted to go around.

The Hiace came to a stop outside a pub and the two men ran into the garden of a nearby house.

They were later discovered by gardaí lying in thick undergrowth in a field.

A struggle ensued with the two men resisting arrest.

On June 5, 2024, a 48-year-old Syrian woman was walking past Collins' home when she was racially abused and subjected to sexual taunts by members of his family.

An intoxicated Collins emerged from his house and became enraged when he saw the woman recording the incident on her phone.

He denied making any of the abusive comments.

Collins smashed the woman’s phone and pushed her to the ground. He broke her wrist during the assault.

The woman was able to identify Collins from his distinctive face tattoo.

On September 19, 2024, Collins caused €13,400 worth of damage to a business premises in Newport.

The court heard there was ‘history’ between Collins and the injured parties. He threw three stones through the windows of a shop, salon, and adjoining post office.

Owner Mary Kilroy O’Haire told the court the premises had to temporarily close as a result.

Her daughter Shannon was in the premises at the time and recorded some of the incident. CCTV also identified Collins.

Mrs. Kilroy O’Haire said the incident left her “feeling unsafe in my own space."

Collins has 48 previous convictions.

The court heard the 32-year-old has already spent 10 years of his life in prison.

Barrister Ms. Christina Burke, representing Collins, said her client had a "harrowing" upbringing and experienced significant childhood trauma. His background has led to substance abuse issues and his offending.

Judge Eoin Garavan agreed that Collins has had an “extremely difficult life", adding: “If ever there was a young man destined to become a recidivist in terms of crime it was Mr. Collins."

Judge Garavan noted that Collins' personality changes when he consumes alcohol.

He imposed a jail term of four years and nine months.

* Published under the Courts Reporting Scheme.