Prison sentence for distraction thefts at Kilkenny City premises

A nine-month prison sentence was handed down to a defendant who admitted two counts of theft dating back to ten years ago.

Marcu Kvec, 63 Manor Street, Waterford pleaded guilty to theft from a premises on John Street on August 14, 2013 and from another retail premises at Patrick Street on November 21, 2013.

The court heard that on August 14, 2023 gardaí attended a call from the manager at the Wine Centre on John Street. The manager said that on the date in question the manager said that two males and a juvenile had entered the store and had distracted staff and stole a Havana cigar.

Sergeant Morgan O’Connor also outlined to the court that on November 21, 2013 at approximately 4.30pm two males and a juvenile entered a retail premises on Patrick Street and stole a gold chain, which was valued at €3,500. The court heard that the juvenile was observed taking the chain from the window while the defendant distracted a member of staff.

Solicitor Joe Farrell said that his client did not benefit from the theft of the jewellery.

Judge Geraldine Carthy remarked to the court that the defendant had previously taken 17 bench warrants. The judge convicted him and sentenced him to nine months in prison which she backdated to May 13. Judge Carthy also convicted him of failing to appear and imposed a six month prison sentence which is to run consecutively to the nine-month sentence.

The defendant was also convicted of being in possession of drugs for personal use when he was stopped by gardaí at Archersrath, Kilkenny on November 13. 2022.

On the date in question the gardaí stopped a vehicle on the N10 and ‘got the distinct smell of cannabis’ from the vehicle. There were three occupants travelling in the car, including the defendant. All three admitted to the possession of a single cigarette that contained cannabis.

Judge Geraldine Carthy convicted the defendant under section 3 of The Misuse of Drugs Act and imposed a fine of €101.