A Ballybane man will have to serve an extra three months in jail for trying to hot wire a car and take unlawful possession of it.
Richard McDonagh (23 ) with an address at 19 Sliabh Rua, Ballybane, pleaded guilty at Galway District Court this week to unlawfully taking possession of a car without the owner’s permission at The Long Walk on May 12, 2010. A charge of theft was withdrawn by the State.
Inspector Mick Coppinger told the court that at 12.15am the injured party had been visiting his girlfriend when he heard the alarm being activated on his car, which was parked outside. When he looked out he saw the defendant sitting in the car. The gardai were contacted and the defendant was found further up the street. The court heard that the car had been left running with the wires pulled out and that McDonagh had been very intoxicated at the time.
Defence solicitor Valerie Corcoran said that her client did not drive the car but that he tried to gain entry while under the influence of alcohol. She later explained that McDonagh is currently serving 16 months for other matters, which was imposed on July 21, 2010.
“When these sirens go off the noise is quite frightening, so he fled,” said Judge Mary Fahy.
“The owner looked out and they made eye contact,” said Inspector Coppinger, who added the engine was started, that McDonagh therefore had possession, but that gardai accept he had not been driving. He said that McDonagh has 40 previous convictions.
Judge Fahy imposed a three month’s sentence to be served on lawful termination of the sentence currently being served.
