Longford District Court: Defendant with ‘appalling record’ gets jail

A defendant who went on a two day theft “spree” in August of last year was sentenced to one year in prison at Longford District Court.

Patrick Harty (51) of Rossnamanagh Road, Sixmilebridge, Clare pleaded guilty to nine charges related to offences that occurred over two days.

Mr Harty was charged with the theft of a number of items from Mostrim GAA grounds, Ballymahon Road, Edgeworthstown, including a wallet, a Revolut card, car keys and a Volkswagen Golf.

The defendant was also charged with the theft of items from shops and a public house in Longford town on the same date and the theft of a vehicle the following day, August 10, 2023, on Main Street, Ballymahon.

Sergeant Mark Mahon told Judge Deirdre Gearty that the initial charge happened when Mr Harty arrived on foot at Mostrim GAA club. CCTV showed the defendant enter the dressing room, then leave and go to a VW Golf belonging to a man who was playing a game of football at the time.

The defendant drove the stolen vehicle to Longford. There CCTV showed him using the stolen Revolut card in the Spar shop, the Day-to-Day Kiosk and in PVs bar, clocking up over €100 worth of transactions.

The following day Mr Harty approached an elderly man on Main street in Ballymahon. The man was having difficulty parking his car, Mr Harty offered to give him assistance, but when he got in the car he drove off.

Counsel for the defendant, Nessa O'Callaghan BL, said her client “had a lot of difficulties in the past”. Ms O'Callaghan made a psychiatric report from 2004 available to the court.

The barrister told the court Mr Harty was on medication for pain management and depression. She said the defendant lost his brother and two nephews in tragic circumstances.

Ms O'Callaghan outlined her client's long history of alcohol addiction and explained that at the time he was drinking while on medication. Counsel completed the defence by saying Mr Harty apologised to the court for his behaviour.

In concluding matters Judge Gearty said the defendant had “an appalling record” adding that his “spree” was “an extremely unpleasant experience for for his victims”.

Judge Gearty imposed one sentence of six months for the theft of the car and three sentences of two months each for the thefts. Judge Gearty directed that he sentences run consecutively, meaning Mr Harty will serve 12 months in custody.