Roscrea men who threw object at car found guilty of criminal damage

Two men who threw objects at a car causing damage have been ordered by Judge Elizabeth MacGrath at Nenagh District Court to have compensation for the injured party.

Christopher Pratt and Wayne “Gerry” Pratt of Ashbury, Roscrea, had pleaded not guilty to criminal damage at Ashbury on April 23, 2021.

Jason O’Rourke told the court that he had been driving through Ashbury when two men threw rocks at his car, damaging the windscreen and bonnet. He said he had identified the culprits through dashcam footage from his vehicle.

He had to get his car repaired but had yet to produce a receipt for an estimate for repairs as he had sold the car and the cost of repairs had been deducted from the price.

Cross-examined by Johnny Spencer, solicitor, for both defendants, Mr O’Rourke said he had been in the area as his sister lived around there. He had a right to travel that route.

Mr O’Rourke said he had not got a receipt for repairs even though the incident had happened in 2021 as he had since been in jail and barred from entering Roscrea.

Put to Mr O’Rourke that it looked as if the defendants had been waiting for someone, he replied: “They walk around with rocks in their pockets all the time.”

Garda Janice Nolan, Roscrea Garda Station, told the court that Mr O’Rourke had come to the station to make a complaint.

She had examined his car and had observed a crack to the windscreen and a dent on the bonnet. While the dashcam footage was not perfect, in her opinion the two males seen throwing objects were Christopher and Wayne “Gerry” Pratt.

She told Mr Spencer that both men had been interviewed and had denied being involved. While she could not be “100% certain” it was them on the footage, she believed it was the two accused. She agreed that there were ongoing difficulties between all parties.

Mr Spencer submitted to the court that both men had denied any involvement in the alleged incident and Garda Nolan was not certain if his clients were on the footage.

However, Insp Amanda Reynolds told the court that the footage clearly showed an item being thrown at the vehicle. Judge MacGrath said she was satisfied a case had been made and convicted.

She adjourned the matter to September 15 for a victim personal statement and ordered both accused to have €150 each by that date in compensation.