'Out of it' - Young man admits attempting to break into car parked outside Limerick home

A YOUNG man who attempted to break into a parked car has been told he will avoid a conviction if he makes a contribution to charity.

Eric Lynch, aged 21, of Riverview Estate, Kilmallock appeared before the local court to face a charge under Section 113 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, relating to interference with a motor vehicle.

The court heard that gardai responded to a report of a man attempting to open the door of a car parked in a driveway of a house at Millmount, Kilmallock, in the early hours of March 2, 2025.

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Gardai identified Mr Lynch as a suspect through CCTV footage. The court heard that at 4.53am Mr Lynch can be seen on the footage approaching the car and attempting to open the door.

When interviewed under caution, he made “full admissions” to gardaí, and the court heard that no damage was caused to the car.

Solicitor Michael O'Donnell told the court that his client "was out of it" and "had no clue where he was" when he attempted to open the car door.

He explained that his client is a 21-year old man with no previous convictions, who works in a meat factory. He also submitted that had Mr Lynch actually broken into the car, he would have been eligible for consideration under the Garda Adult Cautioning Scheme, rather than prosecution.

Judge Patricia Harney indicated that she will consider striking out the matter if a €300 contribution is made to the Court Poor Box by March 27.