Mayo man in court after wrongly believing stones were thrown by neighbour at his window

A MAN waved a large timber handle at his neighbour who he wrongly believed had thrown stones at his window.

Francis Moran, aged 52, of St Michael’s Estate, Foxford, appeared before Ballina District Court.

On January 4, 2025, gardaí were alerted to a dispute between neighbours.

Moran alleged that stones had been thrown at his window and he confronted a neighbour while wielding a large wooden handle.

The injured party contacted gardaí who found Moran outside his own home with the timber handle.

He told officers: “I can’t win.”

Moran has no previous convictions.

Solicitor Peter Loftus handed into the court a letter of apology from his client.

He said Moran has also made a sizeable donation to Mayo Roscommon Hospice.

Mr. Loftus said Moran wrongly believed his neighbour was responsible for issues around his property and “took out his frustrations.”

Judge Vincent Deane said he believed the incident was a “once-off” and decided to give Moran the benefit of the Probation Act.

“He only gets one chance,” the judge commented.

* Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.