Man stole bike from train station

A DEFENDANT who has over 130 previous convictions and who is currently in prison was handed a three-month sentence at Carlow District Court after he pleaded guilty to stealing a bicycle.

Patrick Stokes, 49 Lerr Avenue, Abbeylands, Castledermot pleaded guilty to taking a bicycle from Athy Train Station on 16 July last year.

Inspector David Shore told Judge Cephas Power that Mr Stokes (44) was spotted on CCTV taking the bike and was later charged with the offence. The court heard that Mr Stokes had 132 previous convictions and that he was in custody on a district court matter.

Solicitor Joe Farrell said that his client was “heavily under the influence of drugs for most of his life” but that he was now doing well in prison.

He added that Mr Stokes was also due to appear at a circuit court on other matters and asked Judge Power to give him the benefit of an early guilty plea.

Judge Power then sentenced Mr Stokes to three months, to run concurrently with his sentence.