Longford Judge suggests man with 50 convictions should consider retiring from criminality

A man with 50 previous convictions was fined for theft at Longford District Court. Geoffrey McManus (39) of 34 Langan Drive, Cranmore, Sligo was charged with public intoxication and theft on January 26, 2024.

The first charge related to the theft of two bottles of cider valued at €9 that morning, while the second was for being drunk in public at Aldi Longford at 9:30pm.

Sergeant Mark Mahon said the defendant was arrested for his own safety that evening. Mr McManus had 50 previous convictions.

Mr Gearty said his client intended to “retire from alcohol”, Judge Owens asked if his client would consider “retiring from criminality?”

Taking the facts of the case into consideration Judge Ownes registered a conviction and imposed a fine of €200 on Mr McManus for the theft and took the public drunkenness charge into consideration.