Longford man with over 70 previous convictions jailed for five months for trespassing at local hairdressers
A defendant who pleaded guilty to trespassing in a Longford business in the middle of the day was sentenced to five months in prison.
John Conway (43) of Longford was charged with trespass to commit an offence and failing to keep a court appointment. A number of other trespass charges were struck out.
Solicitor Diarmaid Quinn said his client was entering a plea of guilty to the charge of burglary. Inspector Paddy McGirl outlined details of the facts in the case.
Inspector McGirl told the court that on June 13, 2022 at 1:50pm an employee of Grafters Hair in Longford town was working on the premises first floor.
When they entered a corridor they saw a male, who they knew from their school days as John Paul Conway. They asked Mr Conway what he was doing there, and the defendant said he was looking for a toilet.
The intruder then exited a door onto a balcony. A review by Gardaí of CCTV showed him trying several doors while in the building. It was stated that Mr Conway had no permission to be on the premises. Nothing was taken from the hairdresser.
The defendant was arrested and questioned, but made no admissions. He had 72 previous convictions; including unlawful possession of a firearm, unauthorised taking of a vehicle, unauthorised carriage, burglary and theft.
“He is well known to the court. He is presently homeless and has addiction issues,” Mr Quinn said.
The solicitor explained that his client entered the building by the balcony looking for a toilet and perhaps somewhere to sleep, and that he had no intention to steal anything.
Mr Quinn explained: “Mr Conway's sister is trying to help him out. He has engaged with the addiction services while in custody. He has been in custody since March 14.”
Judge Owens said the defendant gets credit for his early plea and noted that there was no confrontation when Mr Conway was found on the premises, however his “significant relevant previous convictions” had to be considered.
The judge registered a conviction, imposing a sentence of five months, backdating it to March 14 for the burglary charge.
The judge imposed a three months consecutive sentence for the for failing to keep a court appointment on January 13 of this year, but suspended it for 12 months on the defendant's own bond and the condition that he engage with probation service and attend all appointees including those with drug support service for a year.