€400 fine for Carlow man who let off firework on New Year's Day
The man pleaded guilty to setting off a firework
A 30-YEAR-old man was convicted and fined for setting off a firework in the direction of a house in Carlow town.
Adam Doyle (40) Staplestown Road, Carlow, pleaded guilty at Carlow District Court to one charge of lighting an unlicenced firework. The guilty plea was the result of a compromise, the prosecuting sergeant said, as Mr Doyle pleaded guilty to one charge, with the remaining three charges withdrawn.
The court heard how on 1 January 2025 at 12.15am, gardaí were driving by a housing estate in Carlow town when they saw a lit streamer being thrown from Mr Doyle’s hand in the direction of other houses on the street. Gardaí then arrested him.
Mr Doyle has 39 previous convictions including for assault and criminal damage.
Solicitor Chris Hogan asked Garda Moulton, who gave evidence, if Mr Doyle had come to the garda’s attention since the incident. Garda Moulton said that Mr Doyle had not, to his knowledge.
Mr Hogan told the court that this incident occurred on New Year’s Eve as Mr Doyle was celebrating with his family. Mr Hogan said that Mr Doyle accepts that he had let off some fireworks in the housing estate where he lives and felt that, in hindsight, he should not have done that. In June, Mr Hogan wrote to the state asking if it would accept a plea so that the judge would know that Mr Doyle’s remorse had not come at the 11th hour.
Mr Hogan said that his client had demonstrated remorse and is currently unemployed, having a young child with health issues that require regular trips to the children’s hospital in Crumlin, Dublin.
Judge Andrew Gubbins convicted and fine Mr Doyle €400 with six months to pay.
