A Newcastle man who had been trespassing in a neighbour’s house ran back upstairs, jumped into a bed, and pretended to be asleep when he saw gardai coming, the Galway District Court heard this week.
Thirty-year-old Kenneth Murphy with an address at 244 Corrib Park, Newcastle, pleaded guilty last Monday to to entering a nearby house as a trespasser with intention to commit burglary on April 13, 2009.
Inspector Sean Colleran told the court that at 2.10 am gardai received a call from the female owner of a house in Corrib Park who had seen a man on the premises. The defendant, who had been coming down the stairs, spotted the gardai arriving and he immediately ran straight back upstairs, went into a bed, and “pretended to be asleep”.
Defence solicitor Jarlath McInerney said that his client and wife had been out earlier for drinks as it had been Easter Sunday. He said that Murphy had been confused as a relative had lived in the property years ago and could have gained access as there had been a key left in the door.
The court then heard that although Murphy had ample opportunity to take items such as laptops and money which were in full view he had only taken a bag which was later recovered. Mr McInerney then said that days later an embarressed Murphy spoke to the owner, paid €200 in compensation, and changed all the locks for the female occupants.
After hearing the evidence Judge Fahy said that it was necessary to speak to the occupants as it must have been a very “scary” experience for them. The defendant then was remanded on continuing bail to July 8, 2009.
