Nenagh man who stole boat and car during crime spree to serve 12 months in prison

Nenagh Court was told that aTipperary motorist who turned back at a Garda checkpoint had no insurance

placeholder image — Nenagh Court was told that aTipperary motorist who turned back at a Garda checkpoint had no insurance

A man who stole a car and a €13,000 boat among other items during a crime spree has been jailed for a total of 17 months by Judge Elizabeth MacGrath at Nenagh District Court.

However, Judge MacGrath suspended five months of the sentence.

Paudie O’Meara of No Fixed Abode, had pleaded at an earlier court to a number of offences, including taking the boat a Bayliner, from Winston Quay, Coolbawn, Nenagh, on June 7, 2023, and causing damage of €532 to its ignition.

He also pleaded to stealing two sleeping bags and a butter knife valued at €120 at the same location on June 6, 2023.

He also pleaded to theft from Crowe’s Grocery Store, Ciamalta Road, Nenagh, on May 6, 2023, and to theft from the sale premises on May 31, 2023.

Mr Hogan pleaded to theft from Casey’s Garage, Toomevara, on May 30, 2023, and to the same offence on the same date at Mulrooney’s Service Station, Borrisokane Road, Nenagh.

He also pleaded to theft at Farrell’s Centra, Ballina, on June 7, 2023.

He pleaded to trespass at a premises on Ciamalta Road, Nenagh, on June 5, 2023.

Mr Hogan also pleaded to driving without insurance and careless driving at Ballyhane, Templederry, on May 31, 2023.

He pleaded to no insurance at William Street, Nenagh, on June 6, 2023, and to allowing himself to be carried in a vehicle without the owner’s consent on the same occasion.

He pleaded to taking possession of a vehicle at Carrig Rua, Nenagh, on February 19, 2023, and to damaging a mobile phone at Carrig Rua on the same date.

The court heard that the female victim had been verbally aggressive to the woman in her home on the date in question.

She had returned from the bathroom to another room and discovered that her phone was missing and Mr O’Meara had taken the keys to her car. Mr O’Meara later handed over the keys to the gardaí and the vehicle was located.

Mr O’Meara’s solicitor, Elizabeth McKeever, told the court that her client had been in custody since June 6 and had never applied for bail.

She said he was a pleasant young man when not under the influence of intoxicants.

Raising concerns about his mental health, Ms McKeever said: “He has no real objection to being in custody, which speaks volumes because everybody wants to lead a normal life. It is a sad case.”

Following sentencing, Judge MacGrath set recognizance in Mr O’Meara’s own bond of €500, with an independent surety of €500, €250 of which is to be paid in cash and lodged in court.