This article is from page 8 of the 2012-07-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
A LIMERICK teenager who engaged in “blaggardly behaviour” in Killaloe and Clonlara has been sentenced to eights months detention for theft and criminal damage offences.
Thomas Kiely (19), with an address at Barnakyle, Patrickswell, Limerick, pleaded guilty to the theft of a car stereo at Twomilegate, a popular viewing spot, on May 27. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal damage arising out the same incident.
Mr Kiely also pleaded guilty to stealing € 50 of diesel from a farmer at Kildooras, Clonlara in the early hours of July 20.
Inspector Tom Kennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the matter.
After hearing a brief outline of the facts, Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction.
Insp Kennedy told the court that Mr Kiely had driven to the farm at 1.50am and started to fill his car with diesel. He said the farmer saw the accused from his house.
The court heard that the man and his son, who is a member of the gardaí, tackled Mr Kiely and prevented him from leaving the scene.
Insp Kennedy told the court that Mr Kiely had broken into a car at Twomilegate, near Killaloe, and taken a car stereo valued at € 250.
He said Mr Kiely, whose fingerprints were found at the scene, was arrested and subsequently made admissions.
Solicitor Shiofra Hassett said her client had made full admissions in respect of both incidents. She said, “He is not trying to hide. He is extremely apologetic”.
Ms Hassett said her client is living at home with his family and is aware of the negative influence he is having on his younger siblings. The court heard that Mr Kiely has 11 previous convictions.
Judge Patrick Durcan said that the accused had broken into a car while “some innocent citizen went for a leisurely stroll.” He said, “This is blag- gardly behaviour of the worst kind, breaking into this car.”
In relation to what he called the “more serious incident”, Judge Durcan said a farmer “had the misfortune to look out the window and see, in a blaggardly fashion, his diesel being stolen.”
He continued, “Someone who violates someone’s private property commits a most serious offence”.
He said, “I regard this as one of the most serious offences I have adjudicated.”
Judge Durcan imposed a threemonth sentence for the theft of the stereo and three months for criminal damage, to be served concurrently.
He imposed a five-month sentence for the theft of diesel, to be served consecutive to the three- month sentence.
He also disqualified Mr Kiely from driving for a period of two years. Judge Durcan warned that offenders who attack the farming community or violate the domestic privacy of a home would be dealt with in the most forceful fashion by the court.