Ireland Neighbours' loud music dispute in Limerick ends in threat to damage property case
On July 10, 2022, a neighbour dispute in Limerick over loud night-time music during Covid led to threats against a Polish couple and their cars. Sarah Purtill, a 35-year-old woman, threatened to damage the couple's cars while holding a broken bottle, and her then partner, named only as Mr X, started a consaw and threatened to cut up the complainants. Gardaí were called three times that night, and CCTV and phone audio footage was later played in court. Purtill pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to making a threat to damage property, and Judge O'Donnell applied the Probation Act, so no conviction was recorded. Reported in April 2024, the Polish couple had already moved away from the area, no damage was caused, and no outcome for Mr X is reported.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Sarah Purtill threatened to damage the Polish couple's cars parked in a driveway.
- Mr X started a consaw and threatened to cut up the complainants and damage vehicles.
- Where
- The case was heard at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
- When
- The threat took place on July 10, 2022.
- Gardaí were called three times between midnight and 2.30am on the night of the incident.
- Cause
- The neighbours' dispute began over music played late at night during Covid.
- Weapon
- Purtill had a broken bottle in her hand during the threat.
- Investigation
- CCTV and audio footage recorded on a mobile phone was played to the court.
- Charges
- Purtill pleaded guilty to making a threat to damage property belonging to her neighbours, a Mercedes.
- Sentence
- Judge O'Donnell applied the Probation Act, so Purtill left court without a criminal conviction.
- Other details
- Mr X was Purtill's then partner, and no outcome for him is reported.
- No damage was caused.
- The Polish couple moved away from the area after the incident.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMs Purtill threatened to damage the Polish couple's cars parked in a driveway. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatMr X started a consaw and threatened to cut up the parties and damage vehicles. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe case was heard at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenOn the night of the incident, gardaí were called three times between midnight and 2.30am. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe threat took place on July 10, 2022. (limerickleader.ie)
- causeThe dispute between neighbours began over music played at night during Covid. (limerickleader.ie)
- weaponMs Purtill had a broken bottle in her hand during the threat. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationCCTV and audio footage recorded on a mobile phone was played to the court. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeMs Purtill pleaded guilty to making a threat to damage property belonging to her neighbours. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceJudge O'Donnell applied the Probation Act, so Ms Purtill left court without a criminal conviction. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherNo damage was caused. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe Polish couple moved away from the area after the incident. (limerickleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 3 Apr2024Limerick neighbours ‘falling out’ over loud music ends up in court
Court hearing report: Sarah Purtill pleaded guilty to a threat to damage property, and the Probation Act was applied, so no criminal conviction was recorded. Adds the dispute background, the threat with a broken bottle, the co-accused's consaw threat, and the victims' move away from the area.
accused, Sarah Purtill, 35, female, named, irish (judged from name)Sarah Purtillsuspect, malevictim, Polish, non-irishvictim, Polish, non-irish