UPDATE: Man jailed for theft offence committed in County Kildare coffee shop
CONVICTED
A 40-year-old man has been jailed for a theft offence that he committed in a Naas coffee shop.
Back in January, Naas District Court was told by gardaí that Karl Boyle, with an address listed as the Father Peter McVerry Trust Homeless Shelter in Kerdiffstown, Naas, but who is currently serving a custodial sentence on other matters.
Gardaí told Judge Desmond Zaidan that on November 12, 2022, Mr Boyle distracted a person aged in their 70s in order to obtain cash at the Costa Coffee outlet located on the Dublin Road in Naas.
It was heard that there was €2,700 in cash in the wallet (On the latest date, Thursday, May 16 last, it was heard that the injured party’s wallet was also stolen by Mr Boyle, and that the wallet was worth €20).
In addition, it was heard that the money which was allegedly stolen by Mr Boyle was not recovered, as well as the injured party’s wallet.
On the latest date, the court was told by gardaí that Mr Boyle was later identified by CCTV, and that Mr Boyle had a co-accused who assisted him in the offence (this suspect is currently subject to a bench warrant, but their exact identity was not disclosed by gardaí before the court).
Mr Boyle pleaded guilty to the offence, and the court was told by gardaí that Mr Boyle has 75 previous convictions, 18 of which are for theft-related offences.
His defending barrister, Aisling Murphy, asserted that what her client did 'was not a nice thing to do', but added that he was 'deeply apologetic' over committing the theft.
Ms Murphy also said that her client has struggled with substance abuse issues.
She further said that her client has been in custody since January of 2023, and has been sober since going into custody.
After consideration, Judge Zaidan decided to impose an 11 month custodial sentence on Mr Boyle, which will run into his present sentence.