Suspended sentence for stealing from shops in Portlaoise

A one month suspended sentence was handed down to a man who admitted stealing in Portlaoise. 

Michal Bagar, 32, of 27 Buttercup Avenue,  Esker Hills, Portlaoise stole a bottle of Jack Daniels  from Dunnes Stores in the Kyle Centre on October 28 last. 

He also admitted stealing €127 worth of groceries from Aldi in Portlaoise on November 18 and groceries valued at €58 on November 29. 

Sergeant JJ Kirby told a sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the whiskey, which was valued at €22 was recovered. He said the defendant has no previous convictions but had received the probation act for a similar offence. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client had entered an early plea. He said the man, a native of the Czech Republic, has been in Ireland for 12 years and there is no pattern of this type of behaviour in that time. 

Judge Andrew Cody noted the man was given the benefit of the probation act before. He sentenced him to one month but suspended the sentence for two years.