A Ballina man who stole from a doctor’s surgery and hair salon, and who obstructed a garda, was this week sentenced to detention.
Ballina District Court heard that on December 13 2010, while on his way home from drinking, John McDonagh, 18 St Patrick’s Estate, Ballina, kicked in the door of Dr Barrett’s surgery on Bury Street, Ballina. McDonagh ransacked the office and stole three old mobile phones to the value of €100.
McDonagh also broke into Lauranne’s hair salon the night of January 11 2011, where he stole €150 worth of items. One of these items was recovered.
The defendant was also charged with the obstruction of a garda. On January 1 after 4am, gardaí responded to a complaint at 32 Millview Crescent. When gardaí gained entry to the house, McDonagh grabbed a garda by the arm and blocked Garda Padraic Kelly by jumping on him. He then pushed him against a wall and held him while another man assaulted the garda. Pepper spray was used on one of the men, and McDonagh fled the scene.
The defendant is currently serving a four month sentence which commenced in February.
John Gordon, his solicitor, read out a letter of apology from McDonagh to the court. The defendant is now off alcohol and is addressing his problems.
“It looks like St Patrick’s Institution might be doing something for this man,” said Judge Mary Devins.
Inspector Joe Doherty told McDonagh that he was “out of control” and he asked that the defendant give a “serious undertaking that you will abstain from alcohol and drugs”.
Judge Devins convicted and sentenced McDonagh to a total of four months detention, to run concurrently to his current sentence and she wished him luck, but warned if “you lose control again” and if “the people of Ballina are afraid of you” that “you will face the consequences”.
