Cork man convicted of threatening to kill Tidy Towns volunteer who parked near his house

Clonakilty, Co Cork, where a Tidy Towns volunteer was threatened for parking his van near Vincent Harrington's home. File Picture: Dan Linehan

A Cork man who became “irate” when a Tidy Towns volunteer parked their van near the entrance to his driveway has been convicted of threatening to kill the injured party contrary to Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

Inspector Ian O’Callaghan told Clonakilty District Court that Vincent Harrington, aged 52, of Desert View, Clonakilty, was charged with one count of threatening to kill and one of criminal damage in relation to an incident that occurred at Convent Hill, Clonakilty, on the afternoon of May 27, 2024.

Giving evidence, Tidy Towns volunteer Bill Deasy told the court that he had gone to Convent Hill with Padraig O’Mahony in order to clear tree bark from a felled tree as part of their volunteer work for the Tidy Towns. 

The court heard that both men had driven their own vans to the site and Mr Deasy had parked on a grass verge, while Mr O’Mahony had parked in a small lay-by on the opposite side of the road.

Mr Deasy said that, soon after Mr O’Mahony had parked his van, Harrington came down the road from his driveway, which joins the lay-by, “screeching and roaring” at the two men.

Mr Deasy said Harrington threatened to hold his head under water and “keep it there until the last breath”.

He said he took the threat seriously and added that Harrington also kicked the door of Mr O’Mahony’s van.

Mr O’Mahony told the court Harrington had asked him if he owned the black van parked in the lay-by. He said that when he told him he did, Harrington shouted at him to “move it”. He added that he heard Harrington threaten Mr Deasy and was concerned for his safety as Mr Deasy, who is 71, had only recently been discharged from hospital at the time.

Harrington, who represented himself in court, said that the van was parked in a dangerous position in the lay-by which adjoined a busy main road. He said that there was not enough room to safely pass it and it was parked in a position that restricted access to his property.

The court was told there had been previous issues between the injured party and the accused. Harrington alleged that Mr Deasy had pushed him, which Mr Deasy and Mr O’Mahony both denied.

Garda Brian Noonan said that two calls about the incident had been made; one, via 999, and one to Clonakilty Garda Station.

He told the court that when he attended the scene he was able to pass the parked van in the lay-by in the Garda SUV and also reverse back past it as well. He told the court that, in his opinion, the van was not parked in a dangerous position, did not block access to Mr Harrington’s driveway, and did not pose a danger for vehicles turning onto the adjoining main road.

Judge Joanne Carroll said she was “quite satisfied” that Mr Harrington had made a threat to kill and convicted him.

She dismissed the charge of criminal damage. The judge strongly advised Harrington to consult a solicitor in relation to a plea of mitigation and warned him it was a serious matter that carried a maximum penalty of 12 months in prison.

The case was adjourned to July 15 for penalty.

• This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.