Man broke into Limerick carpark as he was looking for somewhere to stay, court hears
Mark Vaughan also sprayed a fire extinguisher in the direction of An Garda Siochana members
A LIMERICK man has been sentenced after he broke into a carpark while looking for somewhere to sleep.
Mark Vaughan, aged 28, originally from Southill but now with an address in Tipperary, appeared before Judge Eamonn Carroll via video-link from Limerick Prison.
He is in custody on the matter and charged with one count of burglary, to which he has pleaded guilty.
Limerick District Court heard that on September 28 of this year, Mr Vaughan entered a city centre carpark, located on Anne Street, at about 4:15am and broke the window of a cash kiosk.
An alarm was subsequently activated and gardai then attended the scene.
Judge Carroll was informed that the defendant also caused damage to CCTV in the premises.
Prosecuting Sergeant Aisling O’Neill said that when gardai arrived at the carpark, Mr Vaughan then sprayed a fire extinguisher in their direction. He was intoxicated at this time.
Following his arrest, the defendant said he could not recall much of the incident.
€3,150 worth of damages were caused during the offence, the court heard.
Mark Vaughan has 19 previous convictions, including for theft, possession of knives, unauthorised taking, trespass, criminal damage and road traffic matters.
Representing the accused, solicitor Cathal Quirke said his client came before the District Court as a 28-year-old man who lives with his partner and has a young son.
Mr Quirke put to the judge that on the morning of September 28, the defendant had relapsed back into his addiction as his mother was sick during this time.
Prior to the burglary, Mr Vaughan had been in treatment but he is now working again to address his difficulties.
The defendant had been granted High Court bail on this charge but was unable to take it up.
The solicitor informed Limerick District Court that his client claimed he broke the window in the carpark as he was looking for somewhere to stay.
Upon hearing facts of the case, Judge Eamonn Carroll sentenced Mr Vaughan to four months’ imprisonment. This will be backdated to September 29, when he entered custody.
Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.