This article is from page 18 of the 2012-10-16 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 18 JPG
A MAN has received a prison sentence after pleading guilty to a burglary at the Kilmaley Inn earlier this year.
Jamie Brohan (29), with an address at 142 Hermitage, Ennis, received sentences totaling 10 months at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.
Mr Brohan pleaded guilty to entering the Kilmaley Inn as a trespasser and committing an arrestable offence, the theft of a Samsung cash register valued at € 1200. The register contained € 15. The incident oc- curred on February 13.
Mr Brohan also pleaded guilty to stealing protein drinks valued at € 46 from Rochford’s Pharmacy, Kilrush Road, Ennis on February 23.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed summary disposal of the case. Jurisdiction was accepted in both matters.
The court heard that Mr Brohan entered the Kilmaley Inn through the rear of the premises at around 3am in the morning.
Detective Garda William Delaney told the court that the accused was subsequently found in possession of the register.
The court heard that Mr Brohan co-operated fully with gardaí and the property was recovered in full working order.
Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the accused has 58 previous convictions.
The court heard that Mr Brohan had previously received a five month suspended sentence for possession of a claw hammer and flick knife at Lasting Impressions hairdressers, Chapel Lane, Ennis between July 28 and 29, 2011.
Solicitor Daragh Hassett told the court that his client had developed an unfortunate addiction to heroin at an early age.
Mr Hassett said his client had received treatment for his addiction but had lapsed back in drug use during the time of the offences.
Mr Hassett added, “He’s still a young man.
“He’s not without hope.”
Judge Patrick Durcan described the break in at the Kilmaley Inn as an “extremely serious matter.”
He activated the five month suspended sentence imposed for the offence at Lasting Impressions.
He imposed a four-month sentence for the burglary at the Kilmaley Inn and one month for the theft at Rochfords Pharmacy.
Both sentences are to run consecutively to the previous five-month sentence.
Judge Durcan said assaults on businesses are “assaults on the fabric of the community.”
He said the message must go out that criminals are “going to face the highest level of penalties within the circumstances that we can impose.”
Recognances were fixed in the event of an appeal.