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 MAN convicted of multiple thefts from premises across Clare committed the “most appalling catalogue of criminal activity”, a court has heard.
Eugene Scorr (23) “broke the hearts” of gardaí trying to detect him, Ennis District Court was told on Tuesday.
Mr Scorr, with a previous address at 44 Mill House, Mill Road, Ennis, pleaded guilty to 39 separate sets of charges.
The offences related to thefts from premises across Clare, criminal damage and road traffic matters.
He was also convicted of endangerment in the townland of Monreal South, Ennistymon on December 17, 2011.
Mr Scorr contested the charge but was found guilty by Judge Patrick Durcan.
He pleaded guilty to the theft of € 15 from Rath Church, Corofin on October 15 (2011); € 25 from Kilmaley Church on September 25 (2011).
Mr Scorr admitted to thefts from a house in Kilmaley on March 25 (2012); Hazel Lane, Gort Road, Ennis on May 14 (2012); Larchill, Ennis on dates unknown between June 23 and June 26 (2012); a chainsaw from a house in Drumcliff on June 25 (2012) and at Cahercalla, Ennis on dates unknown between July 1 and August 30 (2012).
Mr Scorr pleaded guilty to theft from Ballyea GAA club on dates unknown between August 15 and September 1 (2012).
Garda Chris Healy of Ennistymon Garda Station told the court that he was in a garda van that followed a car Mr Scorr was driving on December 17, 2011.
He said gardaí eventually overtook Mr Scorr in the townland of Monreal South about three miles from Ennistymon on the road to Ennis.
Garda Healy got out of the van and walked back towards Mr Scorr.
He told the court that Mr Scorr drove the car on a section of the road between the grass margin and the van.
Garda Healy said he jumped back against the van to avoid being hit.
He added, “He drove past me and missed me by a couple of inches.”
Mr Scorr denied the charge, saying Garda Healy was standing beside the car when he drove off.
Mr Scorr told the court there was plenty of room for him to pass between the garda van and the grass margin.
After hearing the evidence, Judge Durcan said he had no doubt in his mind regarding the case.
He added, “I have not the slightest doubt that Eugene Scorr is guilty of the offence.”
The court heard Mr Scorr has 17 previous convictions.
Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client and his partner were homeless at the time when many of these offences were committed.
She told the court that Mr Scorr, a former security man at Ennis General Hospital, was very sorry for taking money from the church.
Ms Godfrey said her client had endured a tough family upbringing.
Inspector Tom Kennedy said this was one of those rare occasions when he said he had “nothing good to say” about an accused man.
He said Mr Scorr had engaged in opportunistic thefts around Clare.
He added:
“He had the hearts of ourselves and the guards broken in trying to detect him.”
Judge Patrick Durcan said Mr Scorr had engaged “in the most appalling catalogue of criminal activity.”
He added, “An attack on a church building is a despicable type of offence.”
Noting Mr Scorr’s guilty plea and his partner’s pregnancy, Judge Durcan imposed sentences totaling 18 months.
Recognances were fixed in the event of an appeal.
A MA N is t o s t a n d t r ia l fo r
allegedly assaulting another man with a glass in a Shannon nightclub. It is alleged that Ben Sheehy (26), with an address at 7 Dun Aras Hurler’s Cross, Shannon, assaulted another man causing him harm at the Shannon Knights on July 15, 2012. The case came before Ennis District Cour t on Tuesday. Inspector Tom Kennedy told the cour t that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summar y disposal of the case on a plea of guilty only. Insp Kennedy outlined the alleged facts of the case. He said it would be alleged that Mr Sheehy struck another man in the face with a pint glass. Insp Kennedy said the alleged victim received 15 stitches and suffered permanent scarring as a result of the alleged assault. Judge Patrick Durcan refused jurisdiction. Mr Sheehy was remanded on continuing bail to Januar y 23 to appear at Ennis District Cour t for ser vice of the book of evidence. An extension of time was also granted for the ser vice of the book of evidence . Legal aid was approved for solicitor Catríona Carmody.
A MA N a lle ge d t o h a ve s e r i
o u s ly assaulted another man in Clarecastle last December has been returned for trial. Ian Considine (25), with an address at 55 St Joseph’s Terrace, Clarecastle, appeared at Ennis District Cour t on Wednesday. It is alleged that Mr Considine did assault another man causing him harm at St Joseph’s Terrace, Clarecastle on December 27, 2011. He also charged with the production of a golf club on the same night at St Joseph’s Terrace, Clarecastle , contrar y to the firearms and offensive weapons act. Garda Irene O’Flynn of Ennis Garda Station gave evidence of ser ving the book of evidence on Mr Considine. Inspector Tom Kennedy told the cour t that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP had consented for the accused to be returned for trial to the next sitting of Ennis Circuit Criminal Cour t on Februar y 12, 2013. Legal aid was approved for solicitor Daragh Hassett.