A Dublin man who used a crowbar and angle grinder to destroy a parking meter because he was annoyed about a parking fine has received a two-year suspended jail sentence.
Peter Moore (25), of Lynnwood, Ballyboughal, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to criminal damage at Chapel Lane, Swords, on January 20th last.
His 47 previous convictions include for road traffic offences, criminal damage and theft.
Weeks in custody
Referring to the few weeks Moore was in custody on the matter, Judge Martin Nolan told him: “I hope you’ve taken note of your surroundings because if you keep going the way you are going, it will become your habitat.”
The judge ordered the €3,000 Moore had previously raised be forwarded to Fingal County Council.
He gave him two years to raise a further €3,000 for the council.
Garda Amanda King told Anne Rowland, prosecuting, that Moore admitted in interview he damaged the parking meter because he was angry about a parking fine.
Fingal County Council estimated the damage cost €11,000.