This article is from page 4 of the 2006-06-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
A COURT has heard how the “bizarre and intimidating” behaviour of a man led to concern amongst his neighbours in Meelick.
The claims were made by a solicitor representing a man accused of a public order offence, arising out of an incident in the early hours of January 8 last.
Patrick Fitzgerald (50), of Kyleavogher, Meelick, was charged after an incident with his neighbour, Joseph Touchstone.
Mr Touchstone, a member of the army, said he saw the accused “kicking the hell” out of his front gate before 2am.
“He said he was going to run me out of the area. He said to me that I was a sick f*****. He offered me to come down and fight with him,” added Mr Touchstone. Patrick Fitzgerald denied this.
Mr Fitzgerald’s solicitor Daragh Hassett said the accused’s sister used to live beside Mr Touchstone, but sold her house because he made her life a misery.
“You are renowned in the area as a night owl, who doesn’t have curtains in the house, standing in the window late at night, staring out at people on the street. Do you accept that?” asked Mr Hassett.
“I do, with good reason,” replied Mr Touchstone, who also agreed that he played loud music late at night.
Referring to the incident, the solicitor said his client was walking home, when Mr Touchstone stared at him in a “menacing fashion” and started taking photographs of him.
Mr Touchstone denied this but admitted that he “occasionally” videotaped people on the street. He said the reason his light was on at 2am was “to see who might be trying to get me or get to my house. At one stage, I have had a brick thrown through my window.”
Mr Hassett said the witness’ behaviour was “bizarre, unusual and quite intimidating of young people” and that he stared at young girls on the street, calling them “slappers.”
Mr Touchstone said he used that expression on one occasion in the past and it has been held against him since.
Mr Hassett said concerns about Mr Touchstone’s behaviour prompted a special residents meeting to be held.
Garda Eugene Long said Mr Touchstone was hassled by children in the area, due to his “eccentric behaviour.”
Mr Hassett said his client’s behaviour was far short of what would constitute the charge he was facing.
Judge Joseph Mangan said he found the offence proven and adjourned the case for a year.