Man smashed items in mother’s house before attacking her car

A MONAGHAN man, who smashed up items in his mother’s house and broke windows in her car during “acts of extreme violence”, has been given a three-year prison sentence with the final 12 months suspended.

Darren Winters (27), of no fixed abode, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to a 2010 VW Golf car belonging to Ayesha Winters by breaking its windows, and to damaging items including glass cabinets, a lamp and a kitchen table in Ms Winters’ house at Cúirt Droim Ard, Carrickmacross, all on May 26, 2023.

A third count alleging he threatened to kill Ayesha Winters during the same episode was withdrawn by the State at an earlier hearing.

Judge John Aylmer was reminded at the October sittings of Monaghan Circuit Court by Frank Martin BL, prosecuting, that the full facts of the case were outlined to him at a previous hearing, and that he had indicated a headline sentence of four years for what he had described as “acts of extreme violence” in which the defendant had threatened and traumatised his mother.

Mr Martin also recalled that, after looking at mitigating circumstances including the defendant’s early plea, a doctor’s report, and problems with drugs, the judge had indicated that he would be minded to reduce the sentence to three years if given good reason to do so.

The case was further adjourned to allow Mr Winters complete a psychology course while in prison, Judge Aylmer was told.

Defence barrister Niamh Murtagh Quinn said her client had also indicated that he would be amenable to attending rehabilitation. In this regard, she had with her a letter from Merchants Quay Ireland confirming he had attended for assessment in May 2025 and was deemed suitable for addiction counselling.

Stating he was imposing a three-year sentence as previously indicated, Judge Aylmer said it appeared there was some hope for “positive rehabilitation” in Winters’ case. On that basis, the final 12 months of the sentence was suspended for 12 months on a €100 bond.

The defendant was bound to keep the peace and be of good behaviour over that period. He must also abstain completely from alcohol and unprescribed drugs and remain under the supervision of the Probation Service.

Asked by the judge if he understood those conditions, Mr Winters, who appeared by video link, said he did. Judge Aylmer also assured the defendant that credit would be given to him for time already spent in prison — which meant in effect that the sentence was backdated to when he had been taken into custody.

As previously reported, Dareen Winters was given a four-month prison term at Monaghan District Court in September of this year in relation to an incident in which he caused extensive damage at Geraldine’s GAA Club, Killanny, by driving a high-powered car onto the pitch and performing “donuts”. This incident occurred on March 4, 2023, almost three months before the criminal damage spree at his mother’s house.