Man fined for damaging JCB and tractors in Offaly

An Offaly man was fined in the district court last week for trespassing on a woman’s property and damaging tractors and a JCB digger.

On 2 April 2024 Eoin Coyne (26), of Edenderry, Rooske, caused severe damage to a yellow JCB digger, all the windows of a Massey Ferguson 135 tractor, and the doors and windows of a Landini tractor, in Clonmore, Rhode.

On the same date, he was also accused of trespassing “on the roof of a building” belonging to a woman “in a way that creates or is likely to create fear in another person.”

The damage done amounted to €3,328.

Lawyer Aisling Maloney said her instructions were that it was random and her client could not fully explain it.

Sergeant Richard Thornton said Mr Coyne had made a full confession. The defendant under the FAS Scheme had paid compensation to the victims.

Judge Andrew Cody remarked that “it must be very scary to walk into a random yard and start smashing JCBs”.

He was fined 250 Euros for entering the security section of the building. He fined the defendant a further €250 for criminal damage to JCB.

He ordered the destruction of shoes, glass, hammers, DVDs and clothing. The cowboy hat will be returned to the defendant.

“Given the day in it” (November 6), Judge Cody stated.