Man beheaded bird, endangered lives
Patrons of Wetherspoon's Bar in Waterford witnessed Reid "in some form of bravado" lure a bird, grab it and decapitate the creature. Photo: Joe Evans
A Waterford man was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for carrying out a litany of crimes in the city.
Glen Reid, of Larchville, Waterford, appeared in Waterford Circuit Court last week for sentencing by Judge Eugene O'Kelly.
The 35-year-old's offending took place over two separate dates last year.
On May 26, 2023, Reid was at Wetherspoons pub on Arundel Square. He assaulted an unsuspecting person in an unprovoked attack, hitting the victim several times. The victim sustained a cut under their eye.
The court heard that Reid had been "drinking all day" in the establishment. Patrons of the bar witnessed Reid then "in some form of bravado" lure a bird, grab it and decapitate the creature. The attack was described in court as a "callous act of cruelty".
In the early hours of August 18, 2023, Reid started a fire in the underground carpark of the apartment block of Railway Square. 200 people had to be evacuated from their homes at two o'clock in the morning. The carpark had to receive repairs costing around €50,000.
In court, defending counsel Gareth Hayden BL explained that his client presented himself readily to Gardaí at the scene of the arson and was cooperative with their investigation. Reid pleaded guilty at an early stage and was described as being "very pleasant to deal with".
The court also heard that there was "no suggestion of ill will" behind the arson.
According to Mr Hayden, Reid has attended meetings to help with his alcohol issues. A letter from Reid' s partner was submitted to the court in a plea for clemency.
Judge O'Kelly heard that his partner is both raising their children and taking care of Reid's father. Judge O'Kelly surmised that the family are also "victims of his offending".
Reid was sentenced to one year and 10 months for the assault, and nine months for animal cruelty, both sentences to run concurrently. He was then given a sentence of five and a half years for the arson.
Judge O'Kelly suspended the final two years of the arson sentence, and ordered Reid to attend Probation Services for a period of 18 months post release.
