A BUS driver had to get all of his passengers off the Limerick to Shannon bus when a drunk man started smashing the window with a hammer, a judge sitting in Limerick District Court was told.
Niall Keane (23), of Delmage Park, Moyross, Limerick City, pleaded guilty in Limerick District Court to criminal damage to the bus to the tune of €5,594.53.
Judge Carol Anne Coolican heard that on November 25 last, Mr Keane was a passenger on the bus at around 1.35am and was “roaring and shouting”.
The court was told that Mr Keane took the red hammer intended for use in emergencies on the bus and began smashing the large side window with it.
The driver pulled over to the side of the road and got the other passengers off the bus then called the GardaÃ, who found Mr Keane inside the bus, still holding the hammer, and disarmed him.
The cost of repairing the damage was €5,594.53, the court heard.
Judge Coolican was told that Keane has 44 previous convictions, including for criminal damage, theft, possession of a knife, and violent disorder.
His solicitor said the 23-year-old was “under the influence of intoxicants” at the time, and this was clear from his erratic behaviour while on the bus, which was captured on CCTV.
Judge Coolican sentenced Mr Keane to three months in jail for the criminal damage to the bus and one month in prison for a public order offence on the same date.
– Court Reporting Scheme