Jail for stealing from cars in Portlaoise

A jail sentence was handed down to a man who stole money and attempted to break into two cars. 

PJ O’Shea, 31, of 20 O’Moore Place, Portlaoise appeared in court via video link in relation to the thefts and attempted thefts from vehicles at  Heathfield and Ard Branagh, Dublin Road, Portlaoise on September 1 last.

Solicitor Philip Meagher  said his client was pleading guilty and had been in custody for a long time. 

Judge Andrew Cody noted the defendant was accused of “stealing €105 and attempting to break into two cars” and had been remanded in custody on September 2. 

Garda Seamus O’Connor said the defendant had 97 previous convictions which included a number for handling stolen property and theft.

Mr Meagher said his client was anxious to deal with the case. 

“He has had a long standing addiction to drugs,” he explained. 

He said the defendant goes through good spells where he is not using but when he relapses it “manifests in this sort of behaviour”.

“He is anxious to deal with his drug addiction. To go into residential care,” said Mr Meagher. He said the man detoxed during his five weeks in custody and is now clean.    

Judge Cody said that while it was a relatively minor offence, lessons were not being learned. He sentenced the man to three months in prison and backdated the sentence to September 2. He directed that the €105 be returned to the injured party.