This article is from page 13 of the 2011-04-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
A MAN who was involved in a spate of crime in West Clare has been handed a 12-month prison spell.
Stephen Bourke (21), of Moyglass, Crusheen, admitted breaking into two mobile homes and stealing property at Rahona Caravan Park, Carrigaholt, in June 2010.
Kilrush District Court heard that a range of electrical items including a television, DVD player, X-Box and several bottles of alcohol were stolen in the break-ins.
The accused also admitted damaging a car on O’Curry Street, Kilkee, on June 4, 2010.
Garda Ken O’Day told the court that two alloy wheels and spotlights were taken from a car which was parked on O’Curry Street, Kilkee, on the evening in question.
He said that they were later recovered.
“Later the same night, two mobile homes were broken into at a caravan park,” said Gda O’Day.
He said that most of the items were later recovered, except for some of the alcohol.
The court heard that the accused had 80 previous convictions.
Defence solicitor Eugene O’Kelly told the court that his client’s parents had a caravan in the area, but they have been “put out of the caravan park because of the trouble their son has caused”.
He said the accused “has had considerable difficulties with the law over the years. A lot of that has been aligned to addiction and to drink”.
He said that a number of others were in his company on the weekend in question.
“He was not able to resist the promptings of the others to cause trouble,” he said.
Judge Joseph Mangan imposed two six-month jail terms and fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.