A DEFENDANT who spent three years in a hospital burns unit as a child was severely reprimanded for putting at risk occupants of an Eyre Square Airbnb by damaging fire alarms and then attempting to set alight a security camera while a trespasser in the building.
Judge Valerie Corcoran said that the man had put every resident of the property at risk in what she described as his “bad-minded” actions.
Before Galway District Court was Malachi Fitzmaurice, Graige, Adare, Co Limerick on charges relating to his trespass at 10 Eyre Square on Christmas Day last. The property is above a Londis shop and is operated as an Airbnb.
He caused €2,000 worth of damage when he pulled down two fire alarms, damaged a fire door and held a lighter flame to CCTV equipment.
The Court was told he had 98 previous convictions, including one for burglary, 25 for drugs offences and three for offensive weapons.
Michael Cunningham solr (defending ) said his client was 30 and had led a tragic life. When he was two he suffered serious burns in a house fire in which his father died. He spent three years Cork Hospital being treated for his injuries. He completed his Leaving Cert and trained in motor mechanics but suffered from PTSD as a result of his experiences as a child. He had developed addiction issues and had managed to stay clean for over two years after treatment, but had relapsed.
His client had to get out of Limerick over debts he owed and had come to Galway.
Judge Corcoran said she was appalled that the defendant had damaged two fire alarms and then tried to set alight the security system which put at risk every person in the building who were definitely lucky it had not ignited.
In response to a plea from the defence that the door to the building was open when Fitzmaurice found it, the Judge said: “An open door is not an invitation to enter” and described the actions as “bad-minded” and imposed a nine-month prison sentence.
