A HOMELESS man was jailed for 17 weeks for ripping up flowers from planters and throwing them into the street and kicking a taxi.
Martin Ryan pleaded guilty before Limerick District Court to a total of four offences.
Judge Patrica Harney heard that on May 12 in William Street, Mr Ryan kicked the door of a taxi, causing €1,000 in damage.
On April 30, he was recorded on CCTV pulling up plants from pots outside the Savoy Hotel and throwing them on to the street, causing €500 in damages.
He also pleaded guilt to two counts of being intoxicated and “roaring and shouting abuse at passers by” on Denmark Street and Bridge Street in the early hours of the morning.
Mr Ryan’s solicitor, Sarah Ryan, told the court that he has been homeless for some time.
“I have been liaising with the homeless services on his behalf – not all types of hostels are suitable for him. He has been bullied (in some accommodations),” she said.
She said her client “gets frustrated” as he spends so much time alone and “has no one to talk to”.
Judge Harney was told Mr Ryan has 111 previous convictions, ranging from criminal damage and assaults to trespass, theft, and public intoxication.
She sentenced him to two months in jail for the damage to the taxi, eight weeks for damage to the planters and plants, and one week for a charge of being intoxicated, making all sentences consecutive.
She backdated all sentences to June 7, when Ryan was originally arrested.
