A Ballybane teen was given no more chances at Galway District Court this week when he received a total of 14 months detention for stealing cars, burglary, and a number of other road traffic offences.
Eighteen-year-old Martin Collins of 3 Cois Na Coille, Ballybane, was brought before Judge Mary Fahy on Monday and pleaded guilty to burglary at Regan’s Bar, Clonboo, on April 3, and being in possession of certain articles. He also faced charges of unauthorised taking of an MPV as well as a number of road traffic offences.
Inspector Brendan Carroll told the court that on June 11, 2011, at 11am the defendant was one of three individuals who took a car from the Bohermore area. Collins was seen getting into the vehicle which was subsequently stopped by gardai. On April 3, 2011 at 2.40am the defendant entered Regan’s Pub in Clonboo with the intention of committing burglary. Inspector Carroll added that Collins had arrived at the premises in a vehicle which had been stolen earlier that day and that the defendant had been the driver. The vehicle was later found on the side of a road.
Defence solicitor Olivia Traynor said that her client had first come before the court as a juvenile and has been given every chance. She said that Collins, who is one of six children, was in the back of the premises where the alcohol is stored. The court heard that the incident occurred for the purpose of stealing alcohol.
“It’s unfortunate but I can’t see this young man making any efforts to improve. I fear he is not going to make any effort to rehabilitate himself. We have tried everything.
“Taking a car with the sole ambition of committing a crime is so serious. There’s nothing more I can say because he have heard it all before,” said Judge Fahy before convicting Collins and imposing a total of 14 months detention and a six year disqualification from driving. The sentence was backdated to July 27.
