*The Auburn Lodge.
A THRASHED hotel room in Ennis by a “berserk” Limerick man “was like the Oasis family home after Christmas Day” a court has heard.
At Ennis District Court, solicitor for Gary Benn (33) of Maher Close, Limerick, Daragh Hassett made his comment after Mr Benn pleaded guilty to causing €1,500 worth of criminal damage to hotel room furnishings at the Auburn Lodge hotel, Gort Rd in Ennis on the night-early morning of January 29th/January 30th, 2022.
Sgt John Burke of Ennis Garda Station told the court that items damaged included the room television, chandelier, bedside locker, lamps and cups.
Mr Hassett said that the room “was like the Oasis family home after Christmas Day” in a reference to the rocky relationship over the years between brothers, Noel and Liam Gallagher.
Judge Alec Gabbett told the court that Mr Benn faces jail for the criminal damage after hearing that he has a “bad record” of 80 previous convictions.
Judge Gabbett told Mr Hassett, “Be under no illusions, I am seriously considering a custodial sentence for your client. As I see this, unless the Probation Service tells me differently, this man is facing a custodial sentence”.
Mr Hassett said that Mr Benn who is a working Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) driver is very sorry for what occurred.
Judge Gabbett said that Mr Benn went “berserk” and asked Mr Hassett what was behind it.
Mr Hassett said that Mr Benn was drunk, very angry and had a blazing row with another party. Mr Benn isn’t facing any other charge from the incident in the bedroom.
Mr Hassett said that the hotel is out of pocket and will need to be compensated. He said that Mr Benn will work to put the money together.
Sgt Burke said that Mr Benn has 80 previous convictions including nine for criminal damage.
Judge Gabbett asked, “Does he carry out criminal damage for a living? This is now number ten”.
Judge Gabbett ordered that Mr Benn engage with the Probation Services for a report to be put before the next court hearing into the case.
Judge Gabbett has also ordered Mr Benn to pay the €1,500 compensation to the hotel and has given him until January 8th to produce the money for Ennis District Court that day and further remanded him on bail to that date.
