AN UNEMPLOYED man poured petrol in a social welfare office in front of shocked staff after his dole payments were stopped, a court heard yesterday.
Gerry Walsh (51), Healy Terrace, Ballina, Co Mayo, brought a canister with a mixture of petrol and oil into the offices of the Department of Social Welfare in Ballina on October 26th last, Judge Tony Hunt was told at a sitting of the Circuit Criminal Court in Castlebar.
Shocked staff and customers fled from the office after Walsh shouted a number of times for the fire brigade to be called and poured the petrol.
Walsh pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal damage.
Garda Barry Maguire gave evidence that the accused had poured the petrol in a public area where there were approximately 30 people.
Gardaí recovered a petrol canister and a cigarette lighter.
Garda Maguire said that in interviews later with investigating officers, Walsh explained he had no problem with the guards or the people behind the counter but with the system.
He said the accused claimed it was the second time his dole payments had been stopped. He had been told it would be sorted out. He had tried to appeal the matter but could not.
In one statement to gardaí Walsh declared: “Every man has his snapping point and I had reached mine”.
Counsel for the defendant Eoin Garavan told the judge his client was “a very cultured individual” and well-travelled.
He added that Walsh had no intention of lighting the mixture and would never have done so.
“His intention was not to do criminal damage but make a protest, Mr Garavan stated.
The judge told Walsh there were ways of dealing with a grievance, but he would have to comply with the rules.
He went on to describe the accused’s response as “stupid and inappropriate”, but added that his actions had been spontaneous and he did not believe he intended to set light to the premises.
The judge imposed a sentence of 18 months in prison on the defendant suspended on condition that he sign a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years.