A bungling burglar broke into a house, made so much noise rummaging that he woke up a resident, and then left a bag containing his details at the scene of the crime, the Galway District Court heard last Monday.
The 30-year-old defendant, who was caught a short distance from the premises still in possession of the house keys and cannabis resin, will now have to serve an extra four months in jail.
Joseph Bowe with an address at 11 St Kieran’s Place, Johnstown, Kilkenny, pleaded guilty to unlawful tresspass to commit theft, and possession of cannabis resin on September 21, 2009, and for failing to appear in court on October 12, 2009.
Inspector Michael Coppinger told the court that on September 21 at 4.20am the defendant entered a house on University Road, Galway, and had been been searching the downstairs of the premises. He had been searching through the kitchen cupboards when a young woman, who had been asleep upstairs, heard noises. At first she thought that her flatmates, all students, had returned to the house but then she heard more noises and called the gardai. The front door had been broken in and gardai found a bag containing the defendant’s details in the house. The defendant was found a short distance from the premises and the house keys were found to be in his possession as well as cannabis resin.
Defence solicitor Brian Gilmartin said that his client has serious addictions to drugs but is seeking help.
Inspector Coppinger then told the court that the defendant has previous convictions which include a number of thefts and possession of drugs.
Bowe told Judge Mary Fahy that he suffers from bipolar disorder, had tried to commit suicide in the past, and has been homeless at times. However, he managed to avail of rehab in March 2008 and he intends to move back to Kilkenny upon his release. Bowe added that he had only come to Galway to get help, but could not get it and then he went drinking. “If I got help I wouldn’t be in this situation,” he said.
Judge Fahy said that breaking into a home can make the victims very nervous, vulnerable, and afraid for the future. She then noted that the defendant seems to be remorseful and is seeking treatment while in custody.
The court then heard that the defendant has been in custody for this burglary charge since November 16 and that he is currently serving a three month sentence for similar but separate charges.
Judge Fahy convicted Bowe and imposed a four month sentence to be served on the lawful termination of the sentence already being served. For the possession of drugs he was fined €250 payable forthwith.
