Car caused extensive damage to GAA pitch

Four months in prison for doughnuts defendant

A MAN who caused extensive damage to a GAA pitch when he drove onto the grass and performed “doughnuts” with a high-powered car was given a four-month prison sentence when the matter was recalled at Monaghan District Court.

Darren Winters (27) of Cúirt Droim Ard, Carrickmacross, who was already on remand for a separate alleged offence and appeared via video link, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing criminal damage to property at Geraldine’s GAA Club, Killanny, Co Louth, on March 4, 2023.

Sergeant Lisa McEntee said that, at about 12:45pm on that afternoon, a dark BMW car drove onto the football field and performed a series of “doughnuts”, causing considerable damage to the pitch.

The vehicle left the vicinity a few minutes later and the club reported the damage to gardaí, the sergeant said, adding that the incident was also captured on CCTV. An investigation was launched and Mr Winters was identified as a suspect. He was also picked up with the car on CCTV footage at a filling station in Killanny a few minutes earlier.

A video taken from Winters’ mobile phone also showed him to be the driver of the car as it was performing the manoeuvres on the pitch, Sgt McEntee stated.

Looking at what she described as an “extensive catalogue” of previous convictions, she listed offences including burglary, unauthorised taking of a vehicle, obstruction of a peace officer, robbery, trespass, criminal damage and public order breaches in the 2018–2019 period as among the most recent. Some of these had resulted in prison sentences and suspended sentences, the sergeant noted.

It was conceded by barrister Joseph Smith that his client had “a lengthy sheet” of previous. However, he argued that the offence before the court did not seem to have been done with a lot of foresight and appeared to be the result of stupidity more than anything else.

Judge Raymond Finnegan pointed to the amount of inconvenience and hurt that would have been caused to a local GAA club that was providing facilities for its community and for children. The club members and local people might not have been able to use the pitch for weeks following this escapade, he remarked. Sgt McEntee said there had been a bill of around €5,000 for professional rolling of the surface. Along with that, the local community had come together in helping to complete the repairs and get everything in order again.

Imposing a four-month prison sentence in light of the disruption caused and the defendant’s previous record, Judge Finnegan set recognisances in the event of an appeal.