This article is from page 17 of the 2013-10-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 17 JPG
A LIMERICK man has received a 12-month prison sentence for his role in a spate of burglaries in Shannon earlier this year.
Joseph Mulcahy (21) broke into six homes in the Shannon area between January 11 and March 24 stealing items including cash and jewellery, while ransacking homes.
Mr Mulcahy pleaded guilty to burglaries at Tullyvarraga, Tullyglass Hill, Inis Sioda, Tullyglass Crescent and Dun na Óir, at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.
The court heard Mr Mulcahy, with an address at Riverview, Ballyhahill, Limerick, was visiting friends in Shannon when he and a group of others broke into and ransacked the houses.
Detective Garda Andrew Hayes of Shannon Garda Station told the court that in many instances the houses burgled belonged to elderly and retired people.
Jewellery valued at € 5800 was stolen from one house.
In another case, a retired couple re- turned home to find their savings of € 3200 had been stolen.
Mr Mulcahy told gardaí he was not involved in that theft.
The accused also pleaded guilty to two public order offences at Topaz petrol station, Shannon on September 20 (2012).
The man’s solicitor said his client, a father of one, was dependent on alcohol and drugs when the offences were committed.
He said Mr Mulcahy’s early plea obviated the need for a detailed forensic investigation into the spate of Shannon crime scenes.
Judge Patrick Durcan said he felt sorry for Mr Mulcahy, as his difficulties had affected his life.
He said he had sympathies for the victims who had their homes violated.
“I absolutely detest this type of carry on”, Judge Durcan added.
He imposed sentences totaling 12 months.
“The message must go out that anybody who breaks into a house will face lengthy sentences,” Judge Durcan said.