A young man who broke into a hairdressing salon and a beauticians has been a drug addict since he was just 8 years old, a court has heard.
Daryll Cassells appeared before Letterkenny District Court charged with two counts of burglary.
The 22-year-old, who is originally from Tallaght in Dublin, carried out the raids on July 25th, 2015.
Garda Inspector Sean Grant said LK Hair Designs and Beauty by Grainne, both located at Larkin’s Lane, were broken into and ransacked.
A total of €400 in cash and a cash register worth €800 was taken from LK Hair Designs while cash was also taken from Beauty by Grainne.
CCTV footage of the area later showed Cassells walking down the road and then swinging out of a door handle on LK Hair Design and snapping it.
He was later arrested by Gardai and admitted to breaking into the premises.
His solicitor, Mr Gordon Curley said his client had been addicted to drugs since he was 8 years old when he was in care and had a very tough upbringing.
However, he said he is now clean and had a baby daughter 5 months ago and this had given him some direction in his life.
Cassells was previously late by two hours for court and he blamed his washing machine.
Judge Conal Gibbons asked the accused what his washing machine had to do with him being late?
Cassells replied that he had no clean clothes.
“Oh well, that’s okay then. We couldn’t have you coming in here naked. That wouldn’t be good at all.
“The next time you’re coming to court, make sure you put your clothes in the washing machine the night before and put it on automatic,” he said.
Cassells told Judge Paul Kelly that he was trying his best and that he was now starting to study for his Leaving Certificate.
Judge Kelly adjourned the case until January 18th for a Probation Report with a view to a community service sentence.