A jilted fiancé who splashed paint thinners on his former partner's car and that of her new boyfriend was given the benefit of the Probation Act by Judge John Garavan who told the man he knew what it was like to be turned down.
John Flaherty, Cloughscoilte, Barna, Galway, pleaded guilty before Galway District Court to damaging both cars which were parked outside a house in Monalee Manor, Knocknacarra, Galway, on August 19th last.
Detective Mick Moran said the amount of damage was slight to both cars and Flaherty had already paid €212 compensation for their repair. Mr Michael Molloy, defence solicitor, said his client had been engaged and had just split up from his fiancé. He just 'lost it' when he heard she was with someone else.
Judge John Garavan said it was a lady's privilege to change her mind. "I'm being shot down regularly and know what the pain of loss is like," he said jokingly. He then applied the Probation Act on both charges on condition Flaherty keep the peace, be of good behaviour for one year and stay away from his former partner.