Former worker floods workplace yard with water

A DISGRUNTLED ex-employee scaled a high wall into an industrial yard, broke off a tap and attached a hose to spray water into the area throughout a bank holiday weekend causing thousands of euro in damage.

When staff returned to work the compound was flooded in a few feet of water.

That was the scenario described by Detective Garda Eamon Feehan at Cork District Court yesterday.

Martin Geary, aged 51, of 15 Amberly Heights, Grange, Cork, pleaded guilty to two counts arising out of the incident at OM Concrete Products, Tramore Road, Cork, on October 24, 2009.

He admitted trespassing on the property with intent to commit an offence and a second charge of causing criminal damage.

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said the defendant was more than willing to pay compensation for what he had done and had brought €2,000 to court towards that end. However, Mr Burke said that if the company was claiming that the damage amounted to €7,270 then they should produce receipts to prove the extent of their loss.

Judge Leo Malone put the case back for a month for quantification of the loss.

“Once that is established that would have to be discharged. If not he will get a custodial sentence,” the judge said.

Mr Burke said the defendant was putting his hands up in relation to his wrong-doing.

The solicitor said the defendant had been friends with the owner for 20 years and worked for him for six and a half years but that unfortunately he ended up out of work prior to this incident.

OM Concrete Products since sold the particular yard at Tramore Road.