A STRANORLAR man who caused over €4,500 worth of damage in an arson attack on a workman’s van has been ordered to cough up more compensation.
Just €500 has been paid by Cialin McMenamin to Hugh Kelly following the incident on November 30, 2019.
McMenamin (30) of Glebe, Stranorlar, was before Letterkenny District Court, where Judge Alan Mitchell gave him a stern warning.
“It’s not a Never Never situation and we can organise a free holiday to Castlrea,” Judge Mitchell said. “They gave free accommodation down in Castlerea. The Christmas dinners are very good – but you won’t get a glass of wine.”
Judge Mitchell heard that McMenamin was in receipt of €200 per week from social welfare.
Judge Mitchell said: “The tax payers are paying you a bonus and there is a great opportunity. I know you might have other plans, but there is a victim here who needs compensated.
“You are kind of slow in paying this back.”
McMenamin set alight a Ford Transit van, which was valued at €3,000, and contents valued at €1,563 were destroyed.
McMenamin was also charged with stealing three sets of keys, a pen knife and a silver harmonica. He was further charged with the theft of an iPhone valued at €200 and an assortment of tools.
The accused vowed to Judge Mitchell: “I will pay it back.”
Judge Mitchell said: “I won’t be a Scrooge here, but I will put this back to January in the hope that Santa might bring some money. You should put away money from the bonus and ask for people to give you money rather than things you won’t use.
The case was adjourned to January 11, when Judge Mitchell ordered McMenamin to have a further €300 paid.