A Co Donegal man attempted to set his neighbour’s home on fire and tried to attack them with a chainsaw after they called him names, a court has heard.
Luke Kelly, of Ballykeeran, Kilmacrennan, appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court charged with assault causing harm, and also causing criminal damage on July 23rd, 2014.
It was alleged that Kelly (26) punched neighbour Matthew Lafferty in the jaw, knocking him over before pouring petrol at the Lafferty home and then chasing members of the family with a chainsaw and a pitchfork.
Garda Siobhán Campbell said Kelly claimed it was Mr Lafferty who had the chainsaw and started the fire when sparks from it came into contact with some petrol. Kelly did admit breaking some windows in the house.
The court heard there had been a history between the families which arose from a name-calling incident.
The court heard the Lafferty family have since moved out of the area.
Barrister Peter Nolan said his client was a 26-year-old father of one and said the incident was a wake-up call for Kelly, who was terrified of going to jail.
The court heard he had previous convictions for various offences, including assault, criminal damage and using threatening and abusive behaviour.
However, Mr Nolan pleaded for a chance for his client, saying he thought he had had his last brush with the law.
He handed €300 into court to cover the cost of the smashed windows.
Judge John O’Hagan said the entire incident read like something out of a massacre novel. “You have to ask yourself if it is real or not,” he added.
He sentenced Kelly to a total of 21 months, but substituted the term with 200 hours community service in lieu of the jail sentence.
“I hope he takes advantage of this fresh start,” said the judge.