Longford man receives suspended sentence for theft at retail store

A judge has given a defendant, who has battled drug addiction but has made steady progress, an eight month suspended prison sentence.

Anthony Fitzpatrick (45) of Mornin, Moydow, county Longford pleaded guilty at the local district court to committing a theft on April 22, 2024 at Aldi in Longford.

Sergeant Mark Moran said Gardaí received a report that the defendant had concealed items valued at €30.59 while in the retail outlet on Killashee Road on the date in question and he left without attempting to pay.

Mr Fitzpatrick was captured on CCTV and stopped by security personnel before Gardaí were alerted.

The defendant had 31 previous convictions.

Solicitor Fiona Baxter told Judge Bernadette Owens a probation report that was compiled on her client was quite positive.

"He is an entirely different man than the man who presented here last May," she added.

The court heard the defendant had remained drug free between 2017 and 2023 and Judge Bernadette Owens noted he engaged fully with the Probation Services.

She sentenced Mr Fitzpatrick to eight months in jail which she suspended for 18 months and subject to the supervision of the Probation Services.