Woman fined for ‘deliberately’ flooding Carlow hotel bedroom
Seven Oaks Hotel
A 21-YEAR-old woman was fined €200 at Carlow District Court for damaging a hotel room, causing €140 worth of damage when a shower was left running after checkout. Jade Burns, with an address at Beatty Park, Celbridge, Co Kildare, appeared before Judge Geraldine Carthy charged with criminal damage to property at the Seven Oaks Hotel in Carlow town on 11 January 2023.
The court heard that Ms Burns and her then partner had booked a room for the night at the hotel. Following checkout, hotel management discovered the room had been “deliberately and maliciously damaged”, according to evidence given by the hotel manager. The shower in the bathroom had been left running, resulting in flooding that cost €140 to clean up.
Ms Burns, who has no previous convictions, had brought €150 compensation to court. Through her solicitor Joe Farrell, she explained that the incident was part of “trouble with her ex-boyfriend”. While the room had been used by both parties, it was booked in her name, making her responsible for the damage.
In mitigation, Mr Farrell told the court that the incident happened “quite some time ago” and that Ms Burns is no longer in contact with the other party. He said she is currently living with her grandparents, is engaged to someone else and her life “is more positive”. Ms Burns is actively seeking employment and would like to avoid a conviction.
The garda reading the evidence noted that it had taken considerable time for the case to come to court because Ms Burns “was given an opportunity to pay compensation but didn’t”.
Judge Carthy enquired about the possibility of local community service but was informed that Ms Burns doesn’t live in or near Co Carlow. The judge convicted and fined the defendant €200, giving her 90 days to pay.
