This article is from page 16 of the 2007-08-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
A MAN with 93 previous convic- tions, who stole cash to feed his her- oin habit has been jailed for a year.
Michael McNamara (33), of Row- an Court, Kennedy Park, Limerick, stole three purses from an office at Avoca handweavers, Bunratty, last March.
McNamara, a father-of-three, also stole €60 cash from the Texaco fill- ing station, Ennis, on March 19 last.
Inspector Michael Gallagher told Ennis District Court yesterday that McNamara stole money from the till at the Texaco garage and ran out of the shop.
He took off in the direction of Lim- erick and was intercepted by gardai.
The money was recovered.
Relating to the stolen purses, In- spector Gallagher said the accused brought gardai to two scenes, where the purses were found.
Defending solicitor John Herbert said his client began to use heroin a number of years ago and was “taken in grip of it.”
He pointed out that there was a
“hapless” element to the crimes be- fore the court.
“The stealing was in order to feed his addiction,” said the solicitor.
He asked the court to take the ac- cused’s circumstances into account, as he is “taking steps to address his difficulties.” Judge Leo Malone im- posed two six-month jail terms, to run consecutively.