Mayo man who kicked dent into car on Christmas day caused €2,685 worth of damage

A man who kicked a dent into a car parked on a village main street on Christmas Day has been remanded for a probation report.

Eddie Staunton, Dangan Mór, Ballyvary, appeared at Castlebar District Court in connection with four charges arising from an incident on Main Street, Ballyvary, on December 25, 2025.

The charges included criminal damage, a section 4 public order offence, a section 6 public order offence, and an offence contrary to section 56(1) of the Road Traffic Act.

Solicitor Gary Mulchrone told the court that pleas were being offered to the criminal damage charge and the section 4 public order offence, with the insurance and remaining matters also before the court.

Court presenter Sergeant John O'Reilly told Judge Vincent Deane that gardaí received reports of an injured party on Main Street, Ballyvary, on Christmas Day.

Staunton had approached a parked car in an aggressive manner and kicked the side door, leaving a substantial dent.

There was no apparent reason for the damage. The cost of repairs was stated to be €2,685.

Judge Deane asked what vehicle had been damaged and was told it was a black Ford Kuga.

Mr. Mulchrone said his client had 17 previous convictions, all road traffic matters bar one public order offence, and was someone who had been struggling with his mental health.

He said Staunton, who is originally from Ballintubber and now living in Ballyvary, had lost his mother, and asked the court to adjourn for a probation report.

A probation officer present confirmed a report was being prepared on Staunton.

Sergeant O'Reilly told the court a victim impact statement had been canvassed but was not forthcoming.

Judge Deane adjourned the matter to September 16 for the probation report.

Mr. Mulchrone told the court that Staunton had €1,000 compensation available and had asked him to convey an apology to the car's owner, saying the victim had done nothing wrong.

* Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.