Man who went on thieving 'spree' in Tullamore is jailed for four months

A man who pleaded guilty to theft appeared at last week's district court by video link from Cloverhill Prison where he was being held in custody.

James Gonoude (33), of O'Molloy Street, Tullamore, had made a statement admitting the offences.

On February 18, 2023 at 12.05 at Riverside Cafe, on Main Street in Tullamore, Mr Gonoude kicked in the front door of the premises gaining entry. He forced open the cash register and stole €1,103 from the till.

On the same date he also kicked the door of Captain House restaurant, on Main Street, but he was unable to gain entry into that premises.

In addition he smashed the door of Bueno, Church Road, Tullamore, and stole €130 from the till. He was identified on CCTV

Mr Gonoude had 23 previous convictions, the last was on February 12, 2020, for obstructing a peace officer. A Section 2 arson charge was taken into account.

Solicitor Donal Farrelly said Mr Gonoude was a 36 year old father of three children aged 3, 6 and 12. He had been a regular user of cannabis when living at home and his use of cannabis had brought him into difficulties. He is estranged from his wife but sees his children regularly.

Mr Farrelly asked Judge Andrew Cody to backdate any sentence to the previous Wednesday when he said he was taken into custody.

Sgt James O'Sullivan told Judge Cody that Mr Gonoude had committed the offences while he was on bail.

Judge Cody took into consideration the defendant's previous convictions and that none of the goods had been recovered. He also took into consideration his early guilty plea. He said that Mr Gonoude had gone on a spree that night. He imposed 4 months in prison for each of the two theft offences to run concurrently starting from the previous Wednesday, to be served in the Midlands Prison.