A thief returned to the scene of the crime once too often, getting caught after returning to the same store multiple times in the space of a week.
Patrick Francis McCarthy received a prison sentence consecutive to the one he is currently serving, and disqualified from driving for ten years at Galway District Court this week.
He pleaded guilty multiple road traffic and theft offences related to good stolen from Flaherty Markets Electrical in Ballybane Industrial Estate last year.
In total, €2,245 worth of goods were stolen from the Ballybane store, the court heard, none of which were recovered.
On February 25 of 2022, Gardaà were called to Flaherty Markets Electrical, where the manager said that a man and woman had entered the store and stolen goods including lights, cameras, and LED mirrors.
The manager also reported that the same duo had been by the store twice already that week, on February 21 & 24.
CCTV footage clearly showed McCarthy coming to the store and leaving with goods, and the car which was used to get there, the court heard.
Gardaà identified him as a suspect from the footage, and also confirmed that he was disqualified from driving at the time.
When arrested and interviewed, he made full admissions to what had happened.
He was also charged with driving without having a valid driving licence or insurance in connection with all three dates, as he was disqualified from driving at the time.
McCarthy’s solicitor Valerie Corcoran said that her client had developed a severe gambling problem, and incurred “huge gambling loans” as a result.
She said that he wants to apologise, and had entered a plea of guilty at the earliest available opportunity.
The court heard that McCarthy had 43 previous convictions, including 12 for driving without insurance, and was currently serving a 17 month sentence due to expire next August.
Judge Marie Keane imposed eight months consecutive the sentence he is currently serving, for the largest value thefts on February 24.
The judge also imposed five months consecutive to his current sentence for driving without insurance, and another four months for stealing two mirrors worth €265 each on February 25.
Concurrent sentences were imposed for the other theft and no insurance charges, while the driving without a valid licence was taken into account.
