Matthew Lafferty: Had bow saw thrown at him by neighbour
A MAN who found notorious burglar Matthew Lafferty living beside him lost his temper and threw a bow saw at him, a court has heard.
William Kelly (56) from Ballykeeran, Kilmacrennan, was a quiet man who kept himself to himself, a solicitor told Letterkenny District Court.
But after serial burglar Matthew Lafferty moved into a rented house next to him outside Kilmacrennan, Mr Kelly found himself a victim of crime.
His house was burgled and property stolen.
On January 30 last year Mr Kelly was cutting hedges with a bow saw when he spotted Lafferty at the side of the house next door.
“He flung it at Lafferty and missed and hit the house, breaking a window,” said defence solicitor Patsy Gallagher.
Mr Kelly was charged with the production of article in course of dispute and criminal damage.
The owner of the house who rented it to Lafferty has reported the cost of repair at €200.
“Although Mr Kelly himself was the victim of burglary and criminal damage he accepts he acted in an entirely inappropriate manner. He is semi-retired and keeps a few horses and has never been before the courts before,” said Mr Gallagher in mitigation.
Judge Kelly ordered William Kelly to pay €200 for the damage and to make a €150 donation to the Donegal Hospice.
“If he does this by February 17th, I will strike the matter out,” said the judge.