Repeat offender imprisoned over theft offences in Kilkenny

A nine-month prison sentence was handed down to a repeat offender at a recent sitting of Kilkenny District Court.

Wayne McGrory, Good Shepherd Centre, Church Lane admitted theft at a business premises at John’s Green and to theft at a High Street retail premises on May 13. He also admitted being intoxicated in a public place at Michael Street in Kilkenny on the same date.

The court heard that on the date in question gardaí received a report of the theft of €49 worth of alcohol from the retail premises at John’s Green - the good were recovered.

On the same date the defendant was found in an intoxicated state and there was clothing also found which had been stolen from a retail premises on High Street.

The court heard that the defendant has 246 previous convictions.

Solicitor Chris Hogan told the court that his client has ‘an entrenched addiction to alcohol and other intoxicants’ and is currently serving a five month sentence.

“The plan when he gets out is to get treatment, he realises that his life will only go one way unless he addresses his demons and he has insight into his offending,” said Mr Hogan.

Judge Geraldine Carthy convicted the defendant and imposed a nine month sentence for theft to run consecutively to the sentence he is serving. Judge Carthy imposed a nine month sentence in relation to the sentence theft charge and suspended the sentence for 24 months.