A man who broke into three priests’ cars in the yard of the Carmelite Priory in Moate will have to wait for a Probation Report in June to learn his fate, the District Court in Athlone heard this week (March 2 ).
James Corcoran (20 ), with an address at Bun Daire, Kinnegad was in court to plead guilty to three counts of criminal damage, and two of theft, committed on the night of January 7.
The court was told how Corcoran smashed the side windows on the three cars, and stole sunglasses and €45 worth of small change from the vehicles. Gardaí put the cost of the windows at €150 each, and valued the sunglasses also at €150.
Corcoran’s solicitor, Mr Matt Shaw from Mullingar, told Judge Bridget O’Reilly that his client was one of four co-defendants charged with this crime, was the first to appear in court, and had brought €200 in compensation with him.
“It’s an extraordinary first offence,” said Mr Shaw.
He went on to explain that his client, who had some “addiction difficulties”, was accompanied to court by his parents, and he submitted “a very complimentary letter” from Corocoran’s supervisors at FÁS. He petitioned Judge O’Reilly to order a Probation Report on his client.
“It’s my view that money doesn’t adequately compensate victims for their sense of insecurity and trouble. People are very frightened by this behaviour, and unfortunately it leads to the syndrome of gated communities,” said Judge O’Reilly, who then estimated the total cost of damage and restitution to be €500.
“An appropriate figure would be a minimum of €200 from each of the four parties involved.”
She remanded Corcoran on continuing bail until June 6, and ordered him attend with the Welfare and Probation Service in order that it may prepare a report on his character.
