Corkman pays €1,500 compensation for trashing room at Metropole Hotel

The court heard Jonathan Healy 'violently resisted arrest, attempting to strike gardaí with his fists'

There was a large amount of damage at the Metropole Hotel room with 'broken chairs, smashed glass, a large amount of stains on the carpeting, and beds were in disarray.'

Staff at the Metropole Hotel in Cork alerted gardaí about a visitor trashing the room in which he was staying, a court has heard, and the guest has since paid €1,500 compensation for the damage he caused.

The matter which occurred in February last year has just come to light at Cork District Court where Jonathan Healy, 34, with an address at 25 Hazel Road, Togher, Cork, was prosecuted for causing criminal damage to a bedroom.

He pleaded guilty to the crime and Sergeant John Kelleher gave an outline of the offence for Judge Mary Dorgan. On February 8, 2023, Garda Kian O’Sullivan attended the Metropole Hotel following a report that the guests in a room were in the process of trashing the accommodation.

“They found a large amount of damage — broken chairs, smashed glass, a large amount of stains on the carpeting, and beds were in disarray. Jonathan Healy exited the bathroom and immediately squared up to Garda O’Sullivan, pushing him once in the chest.

“He violently resisted arrest, attempting to strike gardaí with his fists. He had to be pepper-sprayed and handcuffed and he continued to be aggressive and attempted to kick gardaí while waiting for transport to Gurranabraher garda station.

“The cost of replacement of furnishings and cleaning amounted to €1,500.” 

Defence solicitor, Frank Buttimer, said on the defendant’s behalf: “He made fulsome admissions when interviewed by gardaí. He was profuse in his apologies and undertook to pay the damages, which he has done.

“He booked in to the hotel for a night out with a friend, shall we say. They had alcohol. The alcohol was excessive. There was an argument in the confines of the hotel and there was this damage. It was immediately detected because of the noise factor.

“It was furniture damage rather than any structural damage. He accepted without hesitation what he had done. He is in full-time employment. He has made up his difficulties with the party in question. And he put together the €1,500.” 

Judge Mary Dorgan said in relation to the payment of compensation: “It is just as well because otherwise he would be going straight to jail. I will look for a probation report at this stage and find out if there is anything more he needs to do to stay out of trouble.” 

The judge then adjourned the sentencing until September 18 to allow time for preparation of the probation report.