Jerry O’Reilly (44) of Coolroe, Beaufort, Killarney was watching television on his couch at a house in Milltown at 10.15am on July 24, 2025, when two men arrived to carry out works on the house, the court was told.
Mr O’Reilly was its previous owner and had been expected to vacate, Det Sgt Chris Manton told the court.
“He exited the house, went to the rear of the injured party’s vehicle and attempted to start the chainsaw numerous times,” said Sgt Manton.
In the confusion of the ensuing scuffle, Mr O’Reilly gave a man a bloody nose, said Sgt Manton.
The court also heard that on October 23, 2023, at 12.30am, Mr O’Reilly scaled a wall and smashed a window to gain entry to The Plough Bar in Milltown, causing €2,000 worth of damage.
During the act, Mr O’Reilly cut himself and his DNA was later matched to blood found at the scene, said Sgt Manton. Nothing was taken from the property.
In addition to charges of burglary and assault, a third charge, producing an article capable of inflicting serious injury, was dismissed on the condition that the full account of events be heard.
Mr O’Reilly had no prior convictions.
His solicitor, Brendan Ahern, said Mr O’Reilly was well known at the bar.
“He’d had a few there earlier,” said the solicitor. “The bar owner was not out of pocket, it was repaid within a few days by my client and his family.”
Regarding the dispute at the house, Mr Ahern said it was built by his client’s brother in 2005 and he had paid his mortgage dutifully for 16 years until he lost his job in construction.
The house was repossessed.
When two men from an asset management company turned up on a July morning when Mr O’Reilly was watching television, said the solicitor.
“Obviously, given the situation, he just felt it was his home,” said Mr Ahern.
“What happened afterwards was completely misguided, judge, but it was in circumstances where he felt his home was taken away from him.”
Mr O’Reilly had told Mr Ahern “In hindsight, I should have rang the gardai and walked out the gate”.
Mr O’Reilly was present at the court, carrying €500 in his pocket in expectation of a fine.
“I know I’m asking a lot and there’s two offences,” Mr Ahern told Judge Catherine Ryan.
She noted the defendant had started a chainsaw to threaten the injured party.
“It never actually got started,” clarified Sgt Manton. “It was a very fraught situation. He surrendered himself at 12.45pm.”
His home was repossessed.
“He’s suffered some difficult times,” said Mr Ahern.
The judged availed of the probation act.
“You won’t get that a second time,” said the judge. “You are being given that second opportunity and you won’t get it again. Stay on the straight and narrow.”
Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme