The spouse of Sinn Féin TD, Martin Kenny, has recounted her terror to a court that stemmed from a night where a van crashed through the electrified gates of her family home while she was the sole occupant. A County Leitrim resident, aged 50, was imprisoned for a term of 18 months by Carrick on Shannon Circuit Court on Wednesday, following a guilty plea for causing wilful damage to the metallic gates of Helen Kenny’s property located in Aghavas, Co Leitrim, on the 29th of September, 2022. Judge John Aylmer handed Caillin Curran of Drumharkin, Fenagh, Co Leitrim a sentence of three years, yet decided to suspend half of the period.
In her statement regarding the impact of the crime, Mrs. Kenny explained to the court that after substantial talks following the episode, they felt compelled to make the taxing decision to put their family dwelling, a home constructed while their offspring were little, up for sale. She expressed that the installation of electrified gates and a surveillance system was a response to previous incidents that were unrelated, particularly due to the anxiety she felt in the house alone after her youngest child commenced college studies.
On the night of the offence, a loud collision and the sound of shattering glass jolted her awake, making her believe initially that there was a road accident. However, upon opening a window and hearing footsteps, she realised the trespasser was within the confines of her property.
Investigating the situation, Mrs. Kenny observed that a van rammed the patio doors of an adapted garage and spotted a gate squashed on the ground. The driver, seeming dazed, emanated a strong odour of alcohol. Fearful for the driver who was barely responsive, she dialled 999 and found his pulse to be weak. As the paramedics arrived and administered an oxygen mask, the man regained consciousness and his behaviour turned hostile, furious, and belligerent, with also police and fire services arriving at the scene.
She recounted how the family first thought the event to be a senseless mishap by an intoxicated individual, but CCTV footage unveiled that the attacker had deliberately bulldozed through the barriers. The footage portrayed him casually driving past the premises, circling back after a moment, and then propelling the vehicle into the gates forcefully.
Mrs. Kenny expressed that she became aware later that the culprit narrowly missed crashing into the end of the house where she was recumbent, further intensifying her already heightened state of anxiety.
Ms Kenny described the aftermath of a disturbing incident, confessing that she kept her coat on in her own home, frequently checking the CCTV footage displayed on her living room television. She shared with the judge that she felt she couldn’t remain in her house any longer, despite her wish to stay. Her fear and anxiety even led her to miss her daughter’s 21st birthday celebration.
The court was informed that the offender expressed remorse and apology. The judge ruled on dangerous driving charges, revoking driving privileges for the accused for four years. Curran, who had a clean record to this point, was fined €300 and handed a two-year driving disqualification for lack of insurance. He received a further €300 fine and two-year disqualification for refusing to provide a blood or urine sample on the night in question. Finally, he was fined €50 for cannabis possession. An additional charge regarding damage to a garage was factored into the judgement.
Post-sentencing, Mr Kenny expressed his family’s relief that the proceedings were over and assured that there was no resentment held toward the defendant. The Sligo-Leitrim TD added that they wished him well in turning his life around, but insisted there needed to be repercussions for such egregious conduct.
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