One of Athlone’s most prolific burglars, jailed for two years on January 30, had his sentence reduced this week (May 19 ) to eight months with the last two suspended after a judge accepted his efforts at rehabilitation were genuine.
James Fallon (19 ), of Castlesampson, Taughmaconnell, responsible for at least 30 break-ins in the month of November alone where over €10,000 worth of property was taken, was appealing the severity of his sentence in the Circuit Court this week.
His alleged accomplice, Kevin Hourigan (19 ), from Columbus Terrace, Athlone, had his case adjourned last month until July 1 as he is contesting a number of drug charges and is waiting for “a very substantial” Book of Evidence to be served. Fallon is expected to leave jail the day before this.
A Garda source said that after the arrest of these two on November 29, burglaries reported to Athlone Garda station dropped from “seven a week to less than seven a month”.
In court this week, Fallon admitted to starting on drugs when he was 12 and heroin at 16. At his case in January it was revealed he went on the burglary spree to “feed and fund” a €120 a day habit.
He left school after “one week of first year” and had to fend for himself as his parents had separated.
Evidence of a completed methadone programme at Cloverhill prison was handed in and the defendant told the court: “I won't be going back to heroin, I can tell you that”.
He also gave evidence that when arrested Fallon cooperated fully and had offered admission on crimes for which he had not been arrested.
Fallon told the court he had an offer of a stonemason's job with his father if released but admitted he had to be let go by his father in the past on account of his addiction.
He then made the three sample eight- month consecutive sentences handed down in January concurrent, ordered the other 21 offences, and suspended the last two months for one year.
