A man "blinded by jealousy and rage" at the discovery that his partner was having an affair and who drove his car through the other man's office windows has received a three-year suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Gerard Donovan (41), of Graigue Court, Ballymun, also rammed the other man's car before driving in through the windows of the security firm where the man worked as its managing director.
Garda Noel Crinnegan told prosecuting counsel, Mr Fergal Foley, that Donovan had drunk about five pints and took five or six sleeping pills before embarking on his rampage.
When Donovan drove his car through the window of the security firm on May 29th, 2003 there were a large number of employees working there, Garda Crinnegan said.
Though no one was injured in the incident, he caused over €5,000 worth of damages to the building and the victim's car was a total write-off.
Donovan pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving, one of criminal damage and one of reckless endangerment on May 29th, 2003.
Garda Crinnegan agreed with counsel for Donovan, Mr Seán Gillane, who said although he did not wish to embarrass Donovan's partner, "there was some basis in reality" to the suspicions his client had.
Mr Gillane said his client had received the news of the affair on the very day he committed the offences.
Mr Gillane also told the court that although the other man had told gardaí Donovan need not compensate for the damages, he had brought to court €1,900 in compensation. Donovan was extremely remorseful about the incident and it was unlikely he would reoffend.
Mr Gillane said Donovan had only acted the way he did because at the time he had felt "something in his life had been destroyed", and felt the need to destroy something in return.
Judge Desmond Hogan described Donovan's actions as "reckless stupidity", and said he had acted "on the spur of the moment in reaction to the news that was given to him".
In the circumstances of the case, he said, he did not feel it appropriate to jail Donovan.