A man who stole a mobile phone and cigarettes from the kitchen area of Subway and attempted to steal cars in Ballybane had an extra six months added to a sentence already being served.
The Galway District Court heard last Monday how Martin Carroll (20 ) had pleaded guilty to a number of charges including interfering with vehicles, criminal damage, public order offences, theft, and handling stolen property. Carroll, with a previous address given as Fairgreen Hostel, is already serving a sentence for unrelated matters.
Inspector Ernie White told the court that on November 28, 2008, at 11.30pm the defendant and two other males entered Subway in Abbeygate Street. Carroll went into the back of the private kitchen area where he stole a mobile phone and cigarettes. He was identified on CCTV and arrested.
On December 26, 2008, at 11.45pm at Lios Na Run, Ballybane two cars were broken into and damaged. The defendant was arrested nearby. On the same date at Beachwood Park, Ballybane, the defendant, who had been in a very drunk state and abusive, had caused damage to cars. The inspector added that Carroll had kicked in the door of the car.
The court then heard that Carroll has 26 previous convictions which include public order offences, possession of drugs, and a number of road traffic offences. He is currently serving a sentence for three thefts.
Defence solicitor Adrian MacLynn said that his client had experienced difficulties in the early part of his life. He said after the death of his mother Carroll “started behaving in an anti-social manner”.
“This court kept this man out of custody on over 20 occasions to try and help him,” said Judge Mary Fahy who added that he has now progressed to more serious charges.
She convicted and imposed a total of six months detention to be served on lawful termination of the sentence currently being served. Carroll was also disqualified from driving for two years and fined €100 payable forthwith.
