Dad of four (20) tried to remove clamp from his car with a hammer

http://www.herald.ie/news/courts/dad-of-four-20-tried-to-remove-clamp-from-his-car-with-a-hammer-31584427.html


Father-of-four Jason Fitzpatrick (20) failed to get the clamp off his wheel, but was spotted by a garda and arrested.Judge Ann Ryan told him she would leave him without a criminal conviction if he made a €100 donation to charity.

Fitzpatrick, of Rathvale Park, Ayrfield, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to a clamp belonging to Dublin Street Parking Services on May 6.

Dublin District Court heard the incident happened at Bedford Row in Temple Bar at 3.40pm.

Gardai on beat duty saw Fitzpatrick trying to remove a clamp from his vehicle using an iron bar and industrial hammer.

He had four prior convictions for minor motoring offences.

The prosecuting garda agreed with defence solicitor Tony Collier that Fitzpatrick had failed to get the clamp off.

"He became annoyed and frustrated the car was clamped," Mr Collier said. "He appreciates he shouldn't have behaved in the way he did."

The accused was on disability allowance and had attended a number of special schools while growing up.

Hurt

All his children were under five and included seven-month-old twins. He was putting "all his efforts into the family home", said Mr Collier.

Judge Ryan adjourned the case for payment of €100 to Crumlin Children's Hospital and said she would strike the charge out if this was done.

"I think it won't hurt as much as paying it to the clampers," she said.