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Briain Kelly, 18 Apr
A thief returned to the scene of the crime once too often, getting caught
after returning to the same store multiple times in the space of a week.
Patrick Francis McCarthy received a prison sentence consecutive to the one
he is currently serving, and disqualified from driving for ten years at
Galway District Court this week.
He pleaded guilty multiple road traffic and theft offences related to good
stolen from Flaherty Markets Electrical in Ballybane Industrial Estate
last year.
In total, €2,245 worth of goods were stolen from the Ballybane store, the
court heard, none of which were recovered.
On February 25 of 2022, GardaĂ were called to Flaherty Markets Electrical,
where the manager said that a man and woman had entered the store and
stolen goods including lights, cameras, and LED mirrors.
The manager also reported that the same duo had been by the store twice
already that week, on February 21 & 24.
CCTV footage clearly showed McCarthy coming to the store and leaving with
goods, and the car which was used to get there, the court heard.
GardaĂ identified him as a suspect from the footage, and also confirmed
that he was disqualified from driving at the time.
When arrested and interviewed, he made full admissions to what had
happened.
He was also charged with driving without having a valid driving licence or
insurance in connection with all three dates, as he was disqualified from
driving at the time.
McCarthy’s solicitor Valerie Corcoran said that her client had developed a
severe gambling problem, and incurred “huge gambling loans” as a result.
She said that he wants to apologise, and had entered a plea of guilty at
the earliest available opportunity.
The court heard that McCarthy had 43 previous convictions, including 12
for driving without insurance, and was currently serving a 17 month
sentence due to expire next August.
Judge Marie Keane imposed eight months consecutive the sentence he is
currently serving, for the largest value thefts on February 24.
The judge also imposed five months consecutive to his current sentence for
driving without insurance, and another four months for stealing two
mirrors worth €265 each on February 25.
Concurrent sentences were imposed for the other theft and no insurance
charges, while the driving without a valid licence was taken into account.