People of Galway city are afraid to leave their doors unlocked for two minutes because of the fear of an intruder, according to Judge Mary Fahy who imposed 14 months detention on a teenager who trespassed and committed burglary in four Oranmore properties in the space of few days.
Gustavo Silva (19 ) with an address at 5 Derry House, Dominick Street, Galway, appeared at Galway District Court last Wednesday and pleaded guilty to a number of burglaries at: 13 Ocean Drive, Oranmore, on September 10, 2008, and stealing a Playstation, Sony Ericson mobile, 400 cigarettes, six T-shirts, and a rucksack; at 31 Ocean Drive, Oranmore, on a date between September 11 and September 12, 2008, and stealing cash €70; at 30 Ocean Drive, Oranmore, on a date between September 11 and September 12, 2008; at 11 Frenchpark, Oranmore, on a date between October 2 and October 3, 2008, and stealing a LCD TV and a Playstation.
Silva also pleaded guilty to giving a false name and address on October 3, 2008, at Galway Retail Park, the theft of a school backpack, valued €60, at Ceannt Station on April 11, 2008, theft of cosmetics, valued €27.26, on April 5, 2008, and with failing to appear in court.
Inspector Michael O’Dwyer told the court that a number the houses had been occupied at the time of the burglaries and that the defendant had previous convictions which included a four-month sentence for theft in July 2007.
Defence solicitor Olivia Traynor said that her client, a Portuguese national who had spent the early part of his life in Brazil, moved to Ireland with his family when he was 13 years old and had lived in Limerick. Ms Traynor said that after being stopped at the Galway Retail Park the defendant gave two interviews in which he “did hold his hands up for the burglaries”. Ms Traynor then asked Judge Fahy to give the defendant “some light at the end of the tunnel” because of his young age.
Judge Fahy replied that it was “very unfortunate” that he was so young and yet has “behaved like a more seasoned criminal”.
“He went into family homes, it’s a total invasion of property... He was breaking into all of these places in and around Oranmore and only for the good police work I have no doubt he would have continued. As a result it’s a sad reality that people are within their own homes during the day with their doors locked because they feel someone might just come in and interfere with their property. These types of offences have been increasing and the court has to do its public duty,” said Judge Fahy who then imposed a total of 14 months detention.
