A homeless man who broke into an empty house on College Road in Galway because he had nowhere to sleep was sentenced to six months in prison when he appeared before Galway District Court this week.
Patrick Lynam, of no fixed abode and currently in prison on unrelated matters, broke into the house with a companion seeking shelter. He smashed a window while gaining entry and cut his hand in the process. The damage caused is estimated at €500. Gardaí were alerted and they discovered the two individuals in the house.
Judge Fiona Lydon was told the defendant is 37, single and has a serious alcohol problem. Defence solicitor Sean Acton pleaded that the house in question was unoccupied at the time. His client had lost his home because of his addiction and was simply seeking shelter for the night in the house.
The Court heard he has 47 previous convictions but the vast majority were for traffic offences. He had four for public order offences and three for drugs.
Mr Acton said his client was trying to get back on track and was currently working in the prison kitchen and doing well. He had co-operated fully with the Gardaí.
The Judge asked about the prospect of paying compensation to the home owner for the €500 in damage caused. However, Mr Acton said that there was little prospect of this as his client had no assets and was in custody.
Lynam also pleaded guilty to stealing alcohol to the value of €37 from Aldi, Westside Shopping Centre.
A sentence of six months was imposed for trespass.
This article is funded by Comisiún na Meán.
