Man jailed for smashing two TVs and a protective screen in Cork City betting office

Cork District Court heard the man 'feels he should be hospitalised because of his psychotic disorder'

The court heard how the man picked up a stool and smashed it against the protective screen in front of the tills in the Ladbrokes before smashing another stool against the television wall in the same office. File picture

Two Ladbrokes staff sitting quietly doing their work at a betting office in Cork City were shocked to see a customer firing a stool through a protective screen and then witness the man throw another stool at two TV screens.

45-year-old Cormac Fitzpatrick, with an address at South Terrace Apartments, Cork, pleaded guilty at Cork District Court to charges of causing criminal damage and being intoxicated to such an extent that he was a danger to himself or others.

Judge Mary Dorgan imposed a sentence of five months on the accused and commented: “I am very concerned about the staff working quietly and then a stool comes flying across the room and breaks two TVs. This was not someone losing money on a horse or anything like that but it was a significantly violent episode.” 

Sgt Gearóid Davis said the accused had 66 previous convictions, including 44 for being intoxicated to such an extent that he was a danger to himself or others.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said the accused was originally from Liscarroll, County Cork, and living in Cork City with the supported accommodation at South Terrace. 

“He has alcohol problems allied to mental health problems. He discontinued medication which was a bad situation. He feels he should be hospitalised because of his psychotic disorder.” 

Mr Buttimer said that while the outburst was in the betting office there was no animus between the parties and no gambling issue in the background.

Sgt Davis said: “The incident occurred on March 20 at Ladbrokes, Marlboro Street. Cormac Fitzpatrick was slurring his words to gardai, he had glossy eyes and was very unsteady on his feet. Prior to arrival of gardaí, Cormac Fitzpatrick entered Ladbrokes, picked up a stool and smashed it against the protective screen in front of the tills in the shop.

“He began shouting at the two staff workers behind the screen, saying, ‘F*** you, f*** you’. He then picked up a different stool in the shop and threw it at the television wall in Ladbrokes, resulting in two televisions being smashed from the impact of the stool being thrown at them. Each television is valued at €500.”