Limerick neighbours ‘falling out’ over loud music ends up in court

A FALLING out between neighbours over music being played late at night during Covid, led to a woman threatening to damage vehicles and her then partner starting a consaw and threatening to “cut up” the complainants.

The victims - a Polish couple who were told by Mr X they were “foreigners” and “you work for us - you’re in our country” moved away from the area following the incident, Limerick Circuit Court heard.

Sarah Purtill, aged 35, of Cluain Ard, Fedamore pleaded guilty to making a threat to damage property belonging to her neighbours - a Mercedes car and an Audi car - on July 10, 2022.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the case with the assistance of Detective Garda Fiona Reidy.

Mr O’Sullivan said the accused and her then partner (who was referred to as Mr X) lived in an adjoining semi-detached property with the Polish couple.

“There had been a falling out over music being played at night during Covid. Relations had deteriorated and on the night of the incident gardai were called three times between midnight and 2.30am. The Polish nationals contacted gardai and complained that the accused and her partner were playing loud music, banging on the wall and fence that divides both properties,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

The prosecuting barrister said when gardai returned for the third time, the Polish couple reported that Ms Purtill had threatened to damage their cars which were parked in a driveway by using a broken bottle which she had in her hand.

“Mr X started a consaw, revving it violently and threatened to cut up the parties with it and damage vehicles. He was highly aggressive,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

CCTV and audio footage recorded on a mobile phone was played to the court. Mr X can be heard saying, “I’ll cut you. You work for us, you’re in our country. Come out you f*****g p***k and I’ll cut you asunder. I’ll stab you in front of the cops. I’ll cut the s**t out of his car.” The consaw can be heard starting.

Ms Purtill can be heard saying, “Do you like your car? Nice car isn’t it?” while touching and walking in close proximity to the vehicle.

Mr O’Sullivan said no damage was caused and her plea of guilty to threatening to cause damage was welcome.

A victim impact statement, prepared by the Polish couple, was read out by the prosecuting barrister.

In it, they said they decided to leave and move (home) over what happened. They said their child has had to move schools, has trouble sleeping and spoke of PTSD.

“There were parties every weekend. The house was full of teenagers. We decided to leave. They are dangerous people. How could we stay in that place,” the victim impact statement added.

Joseph McMahon BL, who represented Ms Purtill, asked Detective Garda Reidy if Mr X was the more aggressive of the two?

“Yes,” said the detective garda.

The detective agreed with the barrister that matters were not helped by alcohol.

Mr McMahon put it to the detective that there were a lot of social events at the complainants’ house. Det Garda Reidy said that was put forward during interviews.

Mr McMahon read out Ms Purtill’s statement. “It was just a moment of madness from the tension. It shouldn’t have happened.”

Mr McMahon said his client is a mother-of-two and matters have ended with Mr X irrevocably.

“The complainants no longer live in close proximity. There is unlikely to be a bust-up again. She works as a chef for a well known multinational company.

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“She has no previous convictions and is unlikely to appear before a court again. Only for the actions of the co-accused the matter would have been heard in the district court. She profusely apologises,” said Mr McMahon.

Judge Tom O’Donnell noted the accused had spent quite a bit of time scoping the cars on the night and he said the victims had to make the decision to leave the area.

“The main protagonist is Mr X. The accused seems to have got caught up in the maelstrom given the heightened tensions. The court has to mark its disapproval of the threatening and sinister behaviour,” said Judge O’Donnell.

The judge said the mitigating factors were that Ms Purtill has no previous convictions, is in full-time employment, has two children and there has been no difficulties since July 2022.

Judge O’Donnell applied the Probation Act which means Ms Purtill left the court without a criminal conviction. “I’m taking a huge leap of faith in this matter. I don’t want to see you in court again,” said Judge O’Donnell.