Man admits smashing window at Enda Kenny’s office for second time

A man who smashed a window at the constituency office of Enda Kenny last May described the then taoiseach as a “traitor” when questioned by gardaí.

Liam Heffernan, of Kilnageer, Belcarra, Castlebar, was held by nightclub security staff close to the premises on Tucker Street in Castlebar after the incident in the early hours of May 26th. He was said to be highly intoxicated at the time.

At Castlebar District Court, Judge Mary Devins heard it cost €300 to repair the window and the accused had carried out similar criminal damage to the premises previously.

Garda Noel Barrett said that when he was arrested and cautioned, Heffernan told him: “I broke the traitor’s office. He robbed the country. I broke the window before and I will do it again.”

Heffernan pleaded guilty to criminal damage and brought €300 to court with him to pay for repairs.

Remorse

Expressing remorse for his action, which he attributed to alcohol, he said he “could not believe it when I woke up the next morning and found I had done the same thing again”.

He said he had strong feelings about the political system and the way the country was being run.

Asking for a suspended prison sentence, the accused said he was in the process of setting up a non-profit organisation offering counselling services.

Heffernan said he was monitoring his alcohol intake and agreed it would be prudent to completely abstain from drinking.

Judge Devins ordered the payment of €300 to the injured party and remanded Heffernan on continuing bail for a year. She warned that in the event of any difficulties between now and then, he will not be getting any further chances.