This article is from page 4 of the 2012-01-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
AN Ennis man with a “serious drink problem” stole two mobile phones from the solicitor’s bar-room in Ennis Courthouse, a court has heard.
Jamie Clune (34), with an address at 4 Bridge View, Roslevan, Ennis, pleaded guilty to theft and public order offences at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.
The court heard that the accused took two phones from the courthouse bar-room on April 5 (2011).
Insp Tom Kennedy told the court that Clune was later questioned and admitted his involvement in the theft.
Insp Kennedy said the phones were sold to an unknown person and had not been recovered.
Court documents showed that the phone belonged to barristers Stephen Coughlan BL and Patrick Marrinan.
In relation to the public order charge, Insp Kennedy said Gardai were forced to arrest Clune after he behaved aggressively in the Market area of Ennis on November 5 (2011).
He said the accused had 99 previous convictions, mainly for public order and intoxication offences.
Solicitor Tara Godfrey told the court that her client had behaved in a drunk and disorderly fashion last November, following a row with his sister.
She said Clune has a “serious drink problem”.
She added, “He’s quite an intelligent man who has had a sad upbringing and has used alcohol to cloud the memory”.
Ms Godfrey said her client is now clean and sober.
The court heard that the accused is currently serving a sentence.
Judge Aeneas McCarthy convicted Clune and sentenced him to six months in prison.
Recognances were fixed in the event of an appeal.