A man with 67 previous convictions, and described in court as a “good moocher”, was jailed for 22 months in the District Court this week (June 24 ) for two burglaries committed earlier this year.
Alan McCarthy (22 ), with an address at Bower View, Athlone appeared in court from prison where he is serving a sentence for similar offences.
Detective Garda Eamon Cunnane told the court how McCarthy stole €1,750 in an “opportunist” theft from an unattended till on Croughans Off-Licence in the afternoon of February 19 and also another €10 from a charity can in Browns Bar in the early hours of January 22, after gaining access through a skylight.
“How does he get onto these bars?” asked Judge John Neilan.
“He's a good moocher,” said the detective.
In his defence, solicitor Tony McLynn told the court these burglaries were “all to pay for heroin debts”.
“He is liaising well with the welfare officer in prison and a care programme is in place,” said Mr McLynn.
“He has been attending school in prison and has channelled his ability in a more positive fashion,” he added.
Mr McLynn pointed out that his client had targetted a remission date of October 13 and asked the judge to show him “some daylight”.
Judge Neilan accepted McCarthy's endeavours in prison but pointed out that, according to the director of the Coolmine rehab centre in Dublin, a heroin addiction will take at least five years to get over, and decided to sentence him “regardless of the possibility of temporary release”.
McCarthy was given 11 months on each count, with the sentences to run consecutively.
The judge set bail at €300 and sought an independent surety of €1,500 for leave to appeal.
Inspector Nicholas Farrell objected to this on the grounds of McCarthy's “crime spree” earlier this year.
“We would have grave concerns he would re-commit offences,” said the inspector.
Judge Neilan doubled both bail figures and remanded McCarthy in custody to appear in Mullingar Circuit Court on July 15 after hearing a Book of Evidence was being prepared on 12 other matters.
