Man with 110 previous convictions broke into town hall and stole from two restaurants

A man who broke into and stole from three premises in Edenderry town centre was sentenced to three months imprisonment by Judge Andrew Cody.

Paul Cullen (39) with an address at 24 Killane Drive, Edenderry, Co Offaly appeared in Tullamore District Court on Wednesday last, charged with trespassing and theft from three premises in Edenderry.

Sgt Richie Thornton, court presenter, told the court that on the night of October 10 and in the early hours of October 11, the defendant is accused of breaking into Edenderry Town Hall and two food outlets.

At Eskimo Pizza, St Mary's Road, in Edenderry the defendant is accused of breaking into the building and stealing €650.

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Sgt Thornton said the defendant also broke into the town hall in Edenderry and committed theft and also forcibly entered the Hayashi Chinese restaurant on JKL Street in Edenderry and stole €50.

Windows were smashed with stones or masonry to gain entry to the buildings and the defendant was identified by CCTV footage, Sgt Thornton said. The defendant has 110 previous convictions.

Solicitor for the defendant, Aisling Maloney, said most of her client's problems relate to drug addiction which have caused him "a huge amount of difficulty".

On the night of the offences in question he consumed alcohol and prescription medication "which did not agree with one another" and he has very little recollection of the events, Ms Maloney said.

The defendant has been in custody since October and is finding custody "somewhat difficult" after his father passed away and his mother is currently receiving end of life care which is causing him distress, Ms Maloney said.

He is participating in education services while in custody and is currently serving a sentence until July, Ms Maloney added.

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For the offence at Eskimo Pizza the defendant was sentenced to three months imprisonment, to commence on the expiry of the sentence imposed in October, and the other offences were taken into consideration by Judge Cody.