Smashed windows of ‘neighbour from hell’

Forty five year old Finbar McAreavey, Beech Court, Lurgan, admitted unlawful damage to windows on April 20 this year.

The court heard the tenant of a property claimed that the defendant had smashed the living room window and glass in the front door.

McAreavey said the reason it happened was that his neighbour was playing loud music.

Mr Richard Monteith, representing McAreavey, said his client had never been in any trouble before and was in a steady relationship.

He added that it was a case of a ‘neighbour from hell’ and the defendant went about it in the wrong way.

Mr Monteith said this was about four in the morning and McAreavey used a crowbar. The defendant felt the landlord was doing nothing about the situation and he had now gone to environmental health.

District Judge, Mr Alan White, said McAreavey was entitled to credit for having a clear record and that was significant at his age. He also had sympathy because of the noise from the neighbours.

He imposed a conditional discharge for two years and ordered the defendant to pay £100 to cover the damage.