Row over EV charger led to thousands of euro worth of damage being caused to Tesla

A man who got into an argument over an EV car charger space in County Mayo is accused of causing nearly €9,000 worth of damage to a Tesla after he allegedly threw Tipp-Ex on it.

Thomas Kelly of Railway Road, Clongriffin, Dublin 13 appeared before Castlebar District Court where he was charged with criminal damage after he was alleged to have caused €8,970 worth of damage to a Tesla car.

In outlining the allegations for jurisdictional purposes, Garda Ciara Padden told the court that it is alleged that on July 18, 2022 the defendant was looking to use an EV charger located at the back of a Londis store in Castlebar.

She said that it is alleged that the victim had left his Tesla car charging but had not returned in time to move the car when the charging process was complete. She alleges that when the injured party arrived, the defendant had a verbal altercation which resulted in a 'Tipp-Ex type corrective fluid' being thrown at the passenger side of the car.

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When questioned by Judge Fiona Lydon about the cost of the damage, Garda Padden said she had a receipt for the repairs and stated that Tesla had to replace every panel that was damaged which is the reason for the high cost of repairs.

She added that Mr Kelly works for a company which puts up signs for supermarkets and that is the reason why he had the corrective fluid.

The court heard that the DPP had directed that the matter be dealt with summarily in the district court but having heard the allegations, Judge Lydon refused jurisdiction.

Mr Gary Mulchrone, solicitor for Mr Kelly asked Judge Lydon to defer the question of legal aid to a later date.

Judge Lydon adjourned the case until April 2 for DPP consent.