A COURTMACHSHERRY pensioner who used a spade to smash the back windscreen of a car in a dispute over land has received a three-month suspended prison sentence.

Paddy Deasy of 34 Ard na Gréine, Courtmacsherry appeared at Bandon District Court for the finalisation of his case. He previously pleaded guilty to smashing the back window of a car belonging to Corneilus Whelton on August 30th 2024 in a row over a small plot of land.

The court heard at the time that the total estimated cost of damage to the car came to €1,800. Defence solicitor Plunkett Taaffe said the compensation has not yet been fully paid by his client but he had €400 which was handed into court.

Judge Joanne Carroll recalled that the accused became enraged when Mr Whelton went to remove flowers that he had planted along a neighbour’s garden.

The court heard that he has previous convictions for road traffic offences. Judge Carroll sentenced him to three months in prison suspended for 18 months on condition that he pays back €600. Mr Taaffe said his client does not have the remainder of the compensation.

‘He relies on social welfare and is only getting €330 per week,’ said Mr Taaffe, who added that the car was scrapped afterwards. Judge Carroll accepted the €400 as final payment for the damage caused to the car.