A JUDGE remarked that it is “all very sad” while dealing with a 41-year-old man who has 316 previous criminal convictions and a severe drink problem.
Limerick District Court heard that while Roy O’Callaghan, of Bridgefieled Close, Curaheen, County Cork, was pleading guilty to charges of criminal damage and theft in Limerick, he couldn’t even remember the incidents.
Mr O’Callaghan was before the court on charges of stealing an electric razor worth €85 from Boots in Limerick and causing criminal damage to a till receipt machine at the same premises on June 9 of this year.
The court heard that he had been previously been ordered by a court to stay out of Limerick after being convicted of theft charges in the city.
Mr O’Callaghan’s solicitor, Sarah Ryan, told Judge Patricia Harney, sitting at Limerick District Court, that her client “is known to the Gardaí” and that “he has a significant drink problem”.
Ms Ryan told the court that her client “doesn’t remember the incidents, but he pleaded guilty – he doesn’t recall why he was in Limerick on that day”.
Mr O’Callaghan’s previous convictions include 106 for stealing, 125 for public order offences, 19 for criminal damage, and 34 for failing to appear in court when charged with offences.
Remarking that the man’s situation is “all very sad”, Judge Harney sentenced him to to four months in prison, consecutive to any other sentence he is serving, and after hearing that the goods were recovered said she would take the theft into consideration.
