Offaly man convicted of theft of iPhone from his niece

AN Offaly defendant was convicted of stealing from his niece during a recent Tullamore District Court sitting.

Before the court was Paul McGrath, Greenwood Park, Edenderry. Mr McGrath who was charged with stealing chocolate and a drink, value €5 from a person in Dunnes Stores, Edenderry on March 8, 2022.

He was also charged with stealing an iPhone 8 from 24 St Patrick's Wood Edenderry on March 9, 2022.

The defending solicitor Donal Farrelly told the court that Mr McGrath was pleading guilty.

Sergeant James O'Sullivan pointed out Mr McGrath entered his brother's home and stole his niece's mobile phone.

“He and his brother fell out because of this,” remarked Mr Farrelly, “but thankfully they are now on good terms. He is 39 years of age and struggled with heroin addiction. He is now doing well.

“He was very close to his mother whose death hit him hard; and he's close to his father who is now very unwell. He had a great struggle getting off heroin but he did so successfully.”

Sgt O'Sullivan pointed out that Mr McGrath had previous convictions for possession of drugs and theft.

Judge Andrew Cody commented that the defendant's behaviour was “a breach of the trust and the bond that he had with his brother.”

He convicted and sentenced to two months imprisonment, suspended for two years.