Neighbour row erupts and leads to blows with cricket bat after woman 'cut homeowner's flowers'

The 70-year-old struck neighbour Elaine O'Connor three times with his fists before using a cricket bat to attack other neighbours during a dispute which began over gardening activities, the court heard.

The confrontation unfolded on March 13, 2022, when Ms O'Connor and three neighbours were tending to their gardens outside their homes.

Wheelock emerged from his property carrying a mobile phone, prompting Ms O'Connor to question why he was filming them.

He responded by striking Ms O'Connor in the nose, followed by blows to her jaw and left eye.

According to Sunday World, when Ms O'Connor asked why he had attacked her, Wheelock replied: "You were cutting my flowers."

He then retrieved a cricket bat from his home and struck one of the neighbours on the back.

Wheelock, who was representing himself at court, alleged the incident was sparked because his neighbours were harassing him.

At Wicklow Criminal Circuit Court, Judge Patrick Quinn handed the defendant a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and banned him from returning to the county.

Wheelock had earlier pleaded guilty to an amended indictment of assault causing harm and for the production of a cricket bat.

Alongside imposing a suspended prison sentence, the judge ordered Wheelock to write an apology letter to his victims.

In another neighbour dispute, a widow had her beloved dog put down after her neighbour complained about his excessive barking.

Sue Johnson was distraught when complaints were made about Patch, a Jack Russell which she had owned for 14 years.

However, because she was worried she would lose her apartment because of the grievances, Ms Johnson made the decision to have her pet euthanised.

The 64-year-old claimed she had lived on the street in Scunthorpe for 15 years without any problems with her neighbours.

Complaints however arose about her dog's barking when a new tenant moved in nearby.

Ms Johnson was then sent a letter by Ongo Homes, her housing association, which informed her that she was in breach of her tenancy agreement.

Dawn Hill, the head of landlord services at the association said: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the decision made by Ms Johnson regarding her dog, Patch.

"We want to make it absolutely clear that Ongo would never instruct or enforce a tenant to have a pet euthanised."