COURTS: A man who is currently serving a term at Castlerea Prison – has been jailed for an additional two months for stealing wine, cider and nappies from a local convenience store.
Frank McDonagh, 29, with an address at 31 Tulach Ard, Rahoon, Galway appeared at Letterkenny District Court yesterday morning.
He was charged in relation to a theft which occurred at Gormley’s Centra, on the 31st of May this year.
The court heard that CCTV footage showed the defendant enter the shop, and showed him immediately heading straight towards the alcohol section of the store.
He then proceeded to take a bottle of Devil’s Bit Cider, Irish Cream Liqueur, tonic wine, and Pampers nappies which amount to the sum of just over €57.
The defendant had an appalling record, and had string of previous convictions, which ranged from theft, robbery, assault, possession of knives and other articles and the unauthorized taking of a car.
The court heard how he was sentenced to ten months in Castlerea Prison last month, and is currently serving that sentence.
He appeared yesterday morning in handcuffs, solicitor for the defendant Frank Dorrian said his client had a desperate drink problem, and that all his offences have been alcohol fuelled.
Mr Dorrian told the court, “My client is 29 years of age, and is a father of three children, aged 9, 5, and nine months.
At the time of this incident my client was at a very, very low ebb – he was dispatched to the local shop by his partner for baby products.
“Unfortunately he diverted himself to a public house and spent all his money, he was intoxicated at this point and went to the local shop and stole these items.
“He is in Castlerea Prison, and is attempting to see an addiction counsellor, all his difficulties are all underwritten by his addiction to alcohol, and it has destroyed his family life.
“All the offences he has been guilty of in the past have been alcohol fuelled.”
Judge Paul Kelly sentenced the defendant to two months in prison due to his lengthy record.