Guilty plea to smashing car windows with hammer and rock

A man has pleaded guilty to smashing the windows of his ex-partner’s car with a hammer and a rock in November 2024. Adam Kearney (26), with an address of Moate Road, Ballymore, Co Westmeath, appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens at Athlone District Court charged with criminal damage and a number of driving offences.

The court heard evidence of how, between 1am and 3am on May 25, 2024, at Carraig Óir, Moate, Co Westmeath, a BMW was damaged by having the front and back windows smashed. The owner of the vehicle said her ex partner, Adam Kearney, caused the damage. He admitted to using a hammer and a rock to do €1,000 worth of damage to the car.

He is also charged with a number of driving offences on November 20, 2024, at Junction 6, M6, Clara, Co Offaly, including damage to property with his car, failure to stop, and driving without insurance.

The court heard how, at 8pm, at Junction 6 on the M6, he was driving a grey BMW which “rear-ended” a black BMW. The owner of the other car alleged dangerous driving and the accused fled the scene before Gardaí arrived. He failed to produce his insurance and licence and indicated a guilty plea to the no insurance charge.

Mr Kearney has no previous convictions and Judge Owens indicated a full probation report would be needed before she could sentence him. She adjourned the case to May 13.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme