This article is from page 17 of the 2012-12-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 17 JPG
A TEENAGER has pleaded guilty to multiple charges of theft and criminal damage arising out of incidents at housing estates in Sixmilebridge in September.
At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Mark Burke (19), with an address at 26 Beechwood Grove, Sixmilebridge, admitted to the theft of Sat Nav systems from cars in O’Garney Heights and Oakwood and to the theft a wallet and portable CD player from cars in Oakwood and O’Garney Heights.
Mr Burke also pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal damage at Beechwood Grove and O’Garney Heights.
All of the charges relate to September 9.
Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the cases.
Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction.
The court heard that a resident observed Mr Burke interfering with cars at around 6am on the morning in question. Gardaí were called to the area.
Insp Kennedy said Mr Burke had forcibly entered two cars and opportunistically taken items from them. The court heard Mr Burke was found quite close to the area in a state of intoxication.
Insp Kennedy said the accused made admissions and was totally cooperative with gardaí. Mr Burke has no previous convictions.
Defence solicitor Stiofán Fitzpatrick said his client
Had brought € 500 compensation to court.
He said Mr Burke had consumed 20 Xanex tablets and drank vodka on the nights.
He said the incident had caused great embarrassment to the family as some of the cars belonged to neighbours.
Mr Fitzpatrick said his client was “hugely remorseful.” “He spiraled out of control,” he added.
Insp Kennedy said Mr Burke would benefit from the intervention of the probation and welfare services.
Judge Patrick Durcan said, “The people of Sixmilebridge are entitled to go to bed at night without expecting a zombie filled with vodka and Xanex coming around interfering with their cars.”
He commended Mr Burke for the payment of compensation but he said the people of Sixmilebridge deserved better.
He adjourned the case until March 13, 2012 for a pre-sentence report from the probation and welfare services.
The State were granted liberty to re-enter the case at 24 hours notice.