A man convicted of stealing another man’s wallet after threatening him with a can of unopened cider, was jailed this week (November 3 ) for eight months after he failed to provide the €900 in compensation he was told earlier this year was the only thing that would save him from a prison sentence.
Gary O’Donnell (28 ) of Marine View, Athlone was sentenced on April 1 for the aggravated theft in the Strand car park in the evening of January 23 when he followed the injured party there before threatening him with said vessel and taking a wallet containing a bank card and €20.
On the April date, Judge John Neilan sentenced O’Donnell to the eight months but adjourned imposing it until November 3 to allow him come up with compensation, which O’Donnell was unable to provide to the District Court this week.
“He’s ready to face the music,” said his solicitor, Mr Tony McLynn, to Judge David Anderson.
O’Donnell had 40 previous convictions, the court heard, the most recent being only two days before this offence was committed, when he was fined €750 for public order offences in Athlone District Court.
Mr McLynn tried to plead for his client, telling the judge that his client had previously attended at the drug rehab unit of Cuan Mhuire and “had been giving clean urines at that time”.
“Well, he didn’t take advantage of the offer given by Judge Neilan,” said Judge Anderson as he sent O’Donnell down. He allowed leave for appeal and set an independent surety of €1,000.
