Man jailed for stealing from cars in Laois

A prison sentence was handed down to a man with 111 previous convictions who was stealing from cars in Portlaoise. 

PJ O’Shea, 31, of 20 O’Moore Place, Portlaoise searched cars and stole items in the Crescent Court estate in Portlaoise over the course of three nights beginning on February 6 last.  

Detective JP O’Brien said the defendant faced ten charges in relation to the incidents. 

“The accused would go out and flick door handles and would rob stuff,” he said.  

The items taken included two laptops, a wallet containing €20, assorted coins, a passport and driver’s licence and two sets of duvet covers. On one occasion he smashed “a single pane of glass on the driver’s side” of a vehicle. On another occasion he “rummaged” around in a car. 

Judge Nicola Andrews asked if any of the incidents had occurred while the defendant was on bail. She was told they hadn’t. 

Solicitor Philip Meagher described the crimes committed by the defendant as “somewhat pathetic” and he was pleading guilty to the offences. 

He said his client was in custody and due for release on April 22. He said the defendant had been addicted to “pills and various substances” in particular Xanax bars.

He said the offending was committed purely to fund his habit. He said the man suffers with ADHD and has suffered with anxiety for many years. He said the man has been in custody since February 16 and was now clean.  

“He is determined to deal with his habit once and for all,” insisted Mr Meagher. 

He said his client is aware that the nature of the offending was “very upsetting” for the victims and he wanted to apologise for the inconvenience to the victims. 

Judge Nicola Andrews jailed the man for four months and backdated the sentence to February 16. She fixed recognisance in case of appeal and granted legal aid.