Jail for man who broke his girlfriend’s phone

A YOUNG Monaghan man, who broke his then girlfriend’s mobile phone, was given a two-month jail sentence when the case came before Monaghan District Court, where Judge Raymond Finnegan was told the defendant had “multiple issues” and a significant list of previous convictions.

Christopher McGarry (21) with an address at Drummuck, Castleshane, Co Monaghan, admitted causing criminal damage coming to €500 to an iPhone belonging to Hannah Lade at Drummuck, Stranooden, on April 23, 2024.

Sergeant Lisa McEntee told the court the defendant was currently in custody in relation to another matter.

The sergeant outlined previous convictions for offences ranging from obstructing a garda to trespassing on buildings and several instances of taking vehicles without authorisation. For these, he had received various sentences including community service and suspended prison terms.

Solicitor Roisin Courtney said McGarry had multiple problems. He came from a broken family and had been caring for his father who had a serious illness. In relation to the charge before the court, a row had developed between him and his girlfriend, which was how the phone got broken.

Stating that the injured party was being left at a loss of €500, Judge Raymond Finnegan said he was dealing with this by way of a two-month prison term to commence forthwith.