Suspended prison sentence for Offaly man who 'made life hell' for neighbours

A man who Judge Andrew Cody said had made life hell for his neighbours, was handed down a suspended sentence at Tullamore district court, but he was warned if he is back before the courts within two years he will be sent to jail.

Stephen Newman, 9, Oakview, Clara, was charged with failing to comply with a civil order made under section115 of the criminal justice act in that he played music at an excessively loud volume, he was heard screaming and shouting over the course of a number of hours and displayed general anti-social behaviour at various dates in 2022.

Judge Cody said his neighbour’s life had been hell with loud music, roaring and shouting and banging on walls.

Reading from a statement Judge Cody said the neighbours said,he plays music so loud that the whole house vibrates. He puts posts on facebook calling them names. They said that during Covid the house became a party house.

Solicitor Donal Farrelly said his client felt that was an exaggeration. He said he was sincerely apologising .

For the offence of September 9, 2022 Judge Cody imposed a six month sentence which he suspended for two years.

He handed down another six months for the offence on July 14, 2022 to run concurrent.

For the offence on July 26, 2022, he imposed a six month sentence to run consecutively and for the offence on August 28, 2022, he imposed another six month sentence also to run consecutively. He suspended the sentences for a period of two years.

The judge told the defendant that if he is back before the court within those two years his neighbours will get peace because he will be going to jail, ‘’Their lives have been hell,’’ he said.