Gambler smashed up bookies after losing €2 bet
A punter who smashed television sets in a bookmakers’ office, causing damage estimated at €17,835, in "several minutes of madness" after losing €2 on a bet has escaped with a suspended sentence.
John McCormac (aged 56), got a taxi home to collect a sledgehammer when he was barred from the bookmakers after abusing a staff member and returned to smash 27 television monitors.
McCormac of Decies Road, Ballyfermot pleaded guilty to criminal damage of television monitors in Paddy Powers, Ballyfermot Road on December 8, 2006.
Judge Patrick McCartan said it was "a matter of conscience" for McCormac and his family whether they repaid Paddy Power’s for the damage caused and he imposed a one year suspended sentence.
Garda Liam Ahere told prosecuting counsel, Mr Kerida Naidoo BL, that McCormac had placed a bet on a horse just as the odds changed and he discovered he was due €2 less then he thought.
McCormac then verbally abused a female member of staff.
The staff member told McCormac she would not take any more bets and he was barred from the premises.
Gda Ahere said McCormac took a taxi home to get a sledge hammer and got a taxi back to the bookmakers where he smashed 27 television monitors with the hammer. Staff pressed a panic alarm alerting gardaí.
Gda Ahere agreed with defence counsel, Mr Paul Greene BL, that McCormac had no previous convictions and had never before come to garda attention.
Mr Greene described the incident as "several minutes of madness" and said his client had a "significant psychiatric background". He said McCormac dropped the hammer as soon as he was challenged.
Mr Greene said McCormac was "a person with an unusually fragile personality" and the incident had been "an overreaction to a perceived slight". He said McCormac had suffered "a very real sanction" in being barred from his only social outlet.
