BREAKING: Terror 'was inflicted on a Kildare community' in a series of drug-fuelled incidents

Terror was inflicted on a County Kildare community in a series of violent mid-summer incidents a year ago.

Before Naas Circuit Court today was Evan Byrne, 29, whose address was given as 1 Kilbelin Close, Newbridge. He pleaded guilty to a number of offences including criminal damage and assault at locations in Ballymore Eustace on June 12, 2024.

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He also admitted dangerous driving on the N81 near the village on the same date.

Garda James Lacey told prosecuting barrister Jordan Fletcher a BMW car driven by the defendant overtook in a dangerous manner near Ballymore  and during a subsequent exchange the defendant shouted that he had three kids and couldn’t feed them before punching the other driver three times.

The defendant took the keys from the other vehicle and used one to stab the driver in the finger, breaking the skin.

The defendant was accompanied by a juvenile female, who has separately appeared  before court.

Gda Lacey said the defendant got the man into a headlock and tried to gouge his eyes.

The incidents include the breaking of car windows and damage to a pub premises. A woman was assaulted and €2,000 worth of damage was caused to one vehicle.

A video with images from CCTV and dashcam equipment was played to the court.

In one scene a woman can be heard saying “close your eyes” to a child.

The video showed the defendant reversing towards a man, knocking him to the ground and in another incident the vehicle mounted a footpath and an individual was struck by the car.

It was claimed the girl threw a hammer and the images showed a female using an implement to try to break the windows of a parked vehicle. Gda Lacey said the defendant was unfit for questioning when arrested.

Defending barrister Patrick McCarthy told Judge Elva Duffy that the defendant has a serious addiction problem and has used cocaine, cannabis and prescription drugs. He was badly intoxicated at the time and has not come to garda attention since then.

The defendant was granted bail on condition that he undertake addiction treatment at a residential centre, which he has done.

Mr McCarthy said he had written a letter of apology and he had €20,000 available in compensation for the injured parties. The money is a loan from his father and the defendant has secured a work apprenticeship.

The defendant was diagnosed with disorders as a child. He found school very difficult, left at 13 and started drinking.

Mr McCarthy said he was homeless at 15 and was living in a car, spending all his money on drugs.

“He has very little memory of what happened (and) he’s extremely ashamed,” added Mr McCarthy.

He added the incident is a great source of shame to the defendant and he has confined his social circle to people of sober habits.

He said while the defendant has some previous convictions these are “not in the same league" as these events.

Judge Duffy said the defendant had inflicted terror on people “none of whom he knew or had any beef with.”

The judge added he was the instigator and had persuaded a child to get involved in criminal activity, adding it was an extraordinary afternoon of events.

Judge Duffy adjourned the matter for sentencing.