Tullow man stole petty cash box from solicitor
Image for illustration purposes
A Tullow man who burgled a solicitor’s office was sentenced to 11 months in jail. However, because he is already serving a stretch, this particular sanction will not affect his projected release date of Christmas Day 2026.
In order to make life easier for the transport officers of the Irish Prison Service, when judges have to convict people serving sentences, they tend to do so in one session to allow for the reincarcerations to start earlier.
This was the case on 8 January at Naas District Court, when Judge Desmond Zaidan asked the senior prison official who had with him.
“Patrick Stokes,” said the prison officer.
“Who?” said the perplexed but normally unflappable registrar.
“I don’t have the papers,” shrugged the registrar.
“These are new charges,” said Garda Paddy Robbins. “I charged him this morning.” Mr Stokes (44), previously of Tullow, the Peter McVerry Trust and Castledermot, but now formally of Midlands Prison, Dublin Road, Portlaoise was charged with the burglary of Patrick V Boland & Sons Solicitors in Greatconnell, Newbridge on 2 September 2024.
“His reply to the charge was: ‘I’m very sorry, it’ll never happen again’,” said Garda Robbins (coincidentally, that is the exact same reply he gave to Garda Martin Staunton in Naas on 20 March for burglaries at three retail units in Newbridge in July and September of 2024).
Garda Robbins continued: “He entered the solicitor’s office and told the receptionist he wanted to see (named solicitor),” he said.
“They were open for business?” clarified the judge, which Garda Robbins confirmed.
“When the receptionist went to get the solicitor, the defendant went behind the counter and took the petty cash box.
“He discarded the cheque book, but took €500 in cash,” said Garda Robbins.
“Previous?” asked the judge.
“Oh, quite significant, he has over 100 previous convictions,” confirmed the Garda.
“My client is a father-of-four and is currently serving a sentence with a release date of January 2026,” said defending solicitor Tim Kennelly.
“Paddy, when you get out, what’s your plan?” asked the judge.
“I’m off the drugs and when I’m off, it’s a different ball game,” said Mr Stokes.
“I hope you get your life turned around,” said Judge Zaidan.
“Thanks, judge,” said Mr Stokes.
“To be fair to him, of 100 previous convictions, none are for violence,” noted the judge.
Judge Zaidan give him an 11-month sentence and assured him: “This will not affect your release date on 25 December.”
