Cork man who smashed wing mirror for no reason 'struggling with addiction'

The court heard that Murphy was in the Ard Mhuileann estate in Mitchelstown and kicked the wing mirror off a parked vehicle. File photo

A Cork man who smashed to wing mirror of a car for no apparent reason struggles with addiction issues, according to his solicitor.

Court presenter Sergeant Linda O’Leary told Fermoy District Court that Mark Murphy, aged 24, of Linden Hill, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, was charged with criminal damage in relation to an incident that occurred in Mitchelstown on June 6, 2025.

The court heard that Murphy was in the Ard Mhuileann estate in Mitchelstown and kicked the wing mirror off a parked vehicle. The court was told that Murphy had no connection to or problem with the owner of the vehicle and the act of vandalism appeared to be entirely random.

The incident was captured on CCTV and Murphy identified himself to investigating gardaí while making full admissions. The court heard that Murphy had four previous convictions including one for criminal damage.

Defence solicitor, Cathal Lombard, said Murphy who was in custody had pleaded guilty and was fully co-operative with gardaí. When asked why his client had caused the damage Mr Lombard said there was no obvious reason but Murphy was “struggling with addiction”.

Judge Colm Roberts said that Murphy’s behaviour was not uncommon and people in general “seem to be more angry” which he suggested may partly be due to the influence of social media. The judge said that vandalism to cars was a regular occurrence close to where he lived himself.

Murphy was convicted of criminal damage and sentenced to two months in prison. Recognisance for appeal wasn’t fixed in his own bond of €500.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.