Brothers plead guilty to breaking windows and causing serious damage in west Mayo towns

TWO brothers have pleaded guilty to separate incidents of criminal damage in two west Mayo towns including damage to an Order of Malta building in Westport and €5,000 worth of damage to the An Post building in Newport.

Stephen Collins and Peter Collins both with addresses at 1 St Mary's Villas, Westport appeared before Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court this morning where they pleaded guilty to offences which took place in Westport and Newport last September.

Stephen Collins pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage as well as two counts of assault and production of an article in relation to incidents which all took place at St Mary's Crescent, Westport on September 27, 2024.

Judge Eoin Garavan heard that he pleaded guilty to breaking the window of a Ford Transit van belonging to the HSE West as well as damaging the window of a HSE building and also damage to the Order of Malta building at St Mary's Crescent.

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He also pleaded guilty to assaulting both Elle Ryder and Sylvia Davitt at St Mary's Crescent and producing a claw hammer in the course of a dispute.

In a separate incident, Peter Collins pleaded guilty to criminal damage in relation to breaking three shop front windows of the Newport Post Office building on September 19, 2024 in which €5,500 worth of damage was caused.

Both men were remanded in custody to appear before Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court on July 21, 2025 for sentencing and Judge Garavan agreed to extend legal aid for a forensic psychological report in relation to Stephen Collins.

In another separate matter, Peter Collins and a co-accused, Gerard O'Sullivan of Woodstock, Moycullen, Co Galway also pleaded guilty to offences in relation to the unlawful taking of a vehicle in Westport on May 13, 2024.

Mr O'Sullivan pleaded guilty to the unauthorised taking of an MPV at Quay Street, Westport on May 13, 2024 as well as dangerous driving and criminal damage to a Toyota Rav 4 at Cross, Cong on the same date.

Peter Collins pleaded guilty to allowing himself to be carried in an MPV at Quay Street, Westport on May 13, 2024 knowing it was taken without the consent of the owner.

Mr Martin Durack, counsel for Mr O'Sullivan said his client suffered trauma all through his life and asked Judge Garavan to order a psychological report for him before sentencing. Ms Christina Burke, counsel for Peter Collins asked for a probation report.

Judge Garavan granted the requests and remanded both men in custody for sentencing on July 21.