Trim man jailed for thefts and public order offences

A 33 year-old father of four who pleaded guilty to a raft of charges involving theft from stores and vehicles and public order offences, was jailed for a total of ten months.

John Collins of Castle Meadows, Trim was stated to have 111 previous convictions when he appeared before Trim District Court on Tuesday last.

Court Presenter Sergeant Alan Ratcliffe outlined various offences relating mostly to various dates last year and a number this year. Several were for being drunk. On one of those occasions on 15th November he was located after he entered a car and took a jacket from the boot.

The Sergeant said the defendant stole quantities of alcohol on a number of dates from Supervalu and Aldi stores, and related on one occasion where he was found in possession of two bank cards.

He also outlined thefts from Applegreen outlets, where on one occasion he also stole alcohol and assorted goods.

He was found in possession of head phones on another date, which were taken from a car.

The defendant also was charged with €300 criminal damage to a car window and stealing of over €400 in coins from the vehicle early in February.

The Sergeant related that the defendant also committed a similar offence on 7th February last. The defendant was observed with coins in his hand at a car in Trim. It was discovered the centre consort where the coins where was missing

The Sergeant outlined further thefts from Aldi last month where the defendant stole drink. He was subsequently found intoxicated and was very aggressive to Garda.

Judge Eirinn McKiernan remarked there were a significant number of victims involved in what she described as ”horrendous crimes” that was very traumatic for the victims. The defendant had a significant number of previous convictions for similar type offences.

She sentenced the defendant to terms of four and two months on different counts. One of the two months sentences she suspended for a period of 12 months subject to him engaging with the probation service.

- Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme