This article is from page 10 of the 2013-03-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
TWO Galway men have received prison sentences after pleading guilty to the burglary of a house in Druncliffe last March.
Christopher Morrison (25) and Michael Flaherty (26) were discovered attempting to enter the building at Drumcliffe on March 23 (2012).
Passing sentence at Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Judge Patrick Durcan said this was an “appalling offence because it damages rural Ireland”, creating suspicion and fear.
He said, “This is the kind of offence that is becoming all too prevalent in rural Ireland.”
Mr Morrison, with an address 117 Slí Geal, Ballymoneen, Road, and Mr Flaherty, with an address at 11 Lismoor, Cappagh Road, Barna, Galway, were found to have engaged in a joint enterprise.
Mr Morrison was discovered by the property owner’s father on the curtilage of the building. A window at the rear of the house had been forced open, the court heard.
Mr Flaherty was in a car in which both men fled the scene. The men were later stopped outside Gort.
Two laser lights were taken and subsequently recovered, the court heard.
Outlining the facts of the case, Inspector Tom Kennedy said the house owner’s father noticed the car parked outside his daughter’s house.
Insp Kennedy said burglaries of this type in rural areas are on the rise. He said it was “lucky” that the owner’s father was in the area at the time. The court heard Mr Morrison has 53 previous convictions and is currently serving a sentence for burglary. Mr Flaherty has a previous conviction for a road traffic offence.
A charge brought last year against Mr Flaherty for the offence was dismissed due to a “breakdown in the State’s case”, the court heard.
Solicitor for both accused, Daragh Hassett said Mr Morrison, a father of two, had turned to crime after coming under “severe financial pressure.”
Mr Hassett said, “There were a number of options open to him but he took the unlawful option.”
The court heard Mr Morrison met Mr Flaherty while they both worked in a hostel.
They had come to Ennis to buy car parts before committing the offence.
Both men admitted their roles to gardaí and cooperated fully, the court heard. Mr Hassett said the pair admitted they were part of a joint enterprise.
Mr Flaherty, the court heard, is still in employment and well regarded.
Mr Hassett said, “He’s come back, manned up to the charges and pleaded guilty almost 12 months later.”
Mr Hassett urged the court to impose suspended sentences in both cases.
Judge Patrick Durcan said it was obvious that the accused had “cased the joint knowing it would be empty.”
He said Mr Flaherty had shown a total disregard for the law of the land while Mr Morrison has a “record as long as your arm”.
Judge Durcan sentenced Mr Flaherty to eight months in prison with the final three months suspended.
Mr Morrison was sentenced to 10 months in prison; consecutive to the sentence he is currently serving. The new sentence is to begin on August 25
Both men were also disqualified from holding a license for five years.
Judge Durcan said he was of the view that both defendants used the car as an aid in the commission of a serious offence. Recogances were fixed in the event of an appeal.