Judge gives man with 245 convictions one last chance

A shoplifter was well equipped to steal high-end bottles of wine when he entered a supermarket with a box cutters, Galway District Court heard.

Gary Byrne of 12c Saint Michans House, Greek Street, Dublin 7 pleaded guilty to new charges on different dates last month.

On October 25 and 26, Byrne shoplifted from Dunnes Stores in Edward Square. The first time it involved more than €26 worth of goods and he had a box cutters on his person, an implement which could open the security tag on high end bottles of wine and spirits.

On October 24 he stole goods to the value of €98 from Spar in Mainguard Street, including a bottle of wine that was concealed on his person and already opened.

The man has 245 previous convictions and he faces a number of other charges and summons at other courts around the country, including Gorey, Mallow and Limerick.

The most recent conviction in Galway had been on October 22 when he was given the Probation Act on the basis he left town.

Judge Mary Fahy said she had taken him at his word. Byrne said he meant it but “got stranded in Galway and never left”.

He admitted to being drunk on every occasion he committed a crime and told the Court that he had a drink problem but had overcome a heroin addiction on his own.

“I have never got a chance to go to rehab but I want to do something about it now as I have an ongoing problem,” he said.

Judge Fahy said he was a very intelligent man and that it was a shame he hadn’t addressed his addiction problems sooner. However, she added, he had family support, which was more than other people had.

“You were well equipped entering the shop with your box cutters to have the champagne if you wanted,” she said.

Judge Fahy on hearing that he was going to live with his son in Dublin and attempt to clean up his act said she would give him another chance.

He was given a one month prison sentence for the criminal damage at Spar suspended for two years and a fine of €200.

The other sentences were also suspended on condition that he stay away from Galway, make contact with the Probation Services and access a rehab programme within 24 hours of his release.

He was remanded in custody until next Tuesday to go to Limerick Court to have more charges heard.