Carlow man pleads guilty to series of thefts worth over €1,000 and gets suspended sentence
Stock image of gloved hand on car via Istock
A CARLOW man who broke into cars parked in private driveways in the early hours of the morning, taking cash, clothing, glasses and a sat nav device has avoided jail after a judge said he was not inclined to interfere with his progress in tackling his addiction.
Mark McCormack (38) Sycamore Road, Rathnapish, Carlow, appeared before Judge Andrew Gubbins at Carlow District Court on charges of public intoxication, theft and breaking into cars.
The court heard that the defendant was arrested for his own safety in the early hours of 6 March on Tullow Street, Carlow town after he was found intoxicated in a public place.
The court also heard details of a series of thefts from cars in Carlow town including on 24 March, Mr McCormack he broke into a car in Oakly Park and stole €20 in cash.
On the same night at Green Road, another vehicle was broken into and €40 in cash was taken, along with a green jacket.
At 5am on the same date, he entered another private driveway and stole cash and a sat nav device from a car. He was again identified by CCTV.
On 23 March, Mr McCormack broke into a vehicle at Mount Leinster Park and stole clothing and glasses worth €850. On the same date at Charlotte Street, he took €120 worth of clothing from a car.
In total, goods worth €1,040 were stolen.
The court heard that Mr McCormack has 57 previous convictions, including 11 for theft..
Judge Gubbins noted that the offences before him are triggering offences.
Solicitor Joe Farrell said that there had been an objection to bail in relation to a previous offence, but one of the conditions of his client’s bail was that he attend a treatment centre. He handed in a letter from the centre showing that Mr McCormack had attended.
Mr Farrell told the court that a place in Cuain Mhuire Centre, Athy, is very difficult to come by and that his client had also completed a home treatment programme.
“He is working for the last three weeks,” said Mr Farrell, adding that he was working in groundworks.
“I am not inclined to interfere with his progress, but the court has to deal with it now by way of a suspended sentence,” said Judge Gubbins, adding that the conditions will include that Mr McCormack compensate the individual victims for their loss.
“If he’s on the right road, then he is less likely to offend,” he said.
“In respect of each of the theft matters – five – I will impose a sentence of nine months’ imprisonment to run concurrently with each other and will suspend these for a period of two years.” The judge took the other charges into account on the condition that the defendant remains alcohol and drug-free. He ordered that €1,040 in compensation be paid within six months.
