Man with over 50 previous convictions was under four suspended sentences when stopped by gardaí in the Midlands
A man who received a 10 month custodial sentence in Longford District Court will now go before courts in Cork and Limerick to have four suspended sentences revoked.
Marian Vavrek, who was also charged under the name Marek Varga, with an address at 6 Chapel Lane Apartments, Edgeworthstown was charged with driving without documentation and giving a false name to gardaí on two occasions.
The defendant's charges related to incidents on April 9, 2023 at Main Street, Granard and July 16 at Carrickboy Farm, Edgeworthstown.
Garda Denise Dockery gave evidence to the court of stopping the defendant on Sunday, April 9 at Main Street, Granard. The inquiries Garda Dockery made into the defendant's documentation revealed he had no licence or insurance and the name he gave subsequently turned out to be false.
Det Sgt Keelan Brennan gave evidence of his investigation of an incident on July 16 last. The defendant drove into a farm with a number of other men. The other men stole property including €30 cash and a laptop. One of the men gave Mr Vavrek €20 which he knew was stolen to purchase diesel.
The defendant had entered a plea of guilty to the charges. Sergeant Mark Mahon said Mr Vavrek has 52 previous convictions. Two theft matters in this jurisdiction, five Slovenian convictions for theft and robbery, and has spent three years in prison in the Czech Republic for extortion and robbery. Sgt Mahon said the Garda investigation showed that by using a false name the defendant managed to rack up four suspended sentences.
The legal representative for Mr Vavrek said matters had “come home to roost”. They explained that the father of four children put his family in a situation where they were now “at risk of losing their home”.
In concluding the matters Judge Bernadette Owens noted the defendant's “very significant relevant previous convictions”. The judge imposed a total of 10 months, two consecutive five month sentences. The defendant was remanded back to appear before Limerick District Court in respect of the revoking of a suspended sentence and to Fermoy District Court for the revoking of three suspended sentences.
Recognisances was set in the event of an appeal on the defendant's own bond of €500 with an independent surety of €5,000, €3,000 of which was to be lodged in cash.