A young man who arrived in Tuam to reside in Simon Community accommodation and who has been given a council house in the town, was told by a judge that he must either be in work or vocational training when his case comes before Galway District Court again next March.
Jonathan Nohilly, 26 Cuirt na Cara, Weir Road, Tuam, appeared before Judge John King on a charge of stealing goods to the value of €738 from TK Maxx in Galway. Gardaí identified Nohilly, and a search of his accommodation turned up a pair of boots valued at €50, which was part of the haul. A female co-accused is still before the courts on charges relating to the incident. Nohilly admitted the theft.
John Martin, solicitor (defending ), pleaded that his client was 23 and originally from Athlone. He moved out of his home there and found himself homeless and then in Simon Community accommodation in Tuam. He now had a council house in the town and was looking for work.
Judge King asked what kind of work the defendant was looking for, and Mr Martin replied, “anything.”
The judge suggested an apprenticeship. “Skilled trades are worth their weight in gold,” he said, and added that Nohilly needed to show him he was turning his life around.
Adjourning sentencing until March 3 and ordering a probation report, he told Nohilly that he expected him to be either working or in vocational training by then.
