‘Menace’ jailed for series of thefts across Kilkenny City

A man with 91 previous convictions has been branded ‘a menace’ as he appeared in court on several new theft and public order charges.

Patrick Carthy, Good Shepherd Hostel, Kilkenny, pleaded guilty to five public order charges as well as three theft charges, following incidents on different dates.

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Sergeant Morgan O’Connor detailed the charges for the court.
On January 26, last, at 2.30pm, Mr Carthy went into Dunnes Stores, Kieran Street, where he was observed by a security manager to put items into a black bag in his trolley.

Mr Carthy did pay for some other items but not these. He left the store without paying. The goods were valued at over €17. He was charged with theft.

On October 27, 2025, Mr Carthy went into Centra, John’s Green, where he stole two multi-packs of Guinness, 18 cans, valued at €32. He left the store without paying.
Mr Carthy was identified on CCTV.

Gardaí patrolling the area came across Mr Carthy who was intoxicated and unsteady on his feet, at Green Street. He was charged with theft and being drunk in public.

On August 15, 2025, gardaí were called to Ardboy, Bonnettstown, where they found Mr Carthy “highly intoxicated.” He had to be arrested and was charged with being intoxicated in public.

On October 23, 2025, Mr Carthy went into the bar at the Pembroke Hotel where he ordered two pints of Guinness. He consumed the drink but then left and didn’t pay for it.

He also took three lamps from tables in the bar, valued at €150. Theft charges followed.

On July 13, 2025, Mr Carthy was seen drinking from cans by gardaí. He was instructed to leave the area and became abusive to the gardaí. When he was told to calm down he became aggressive. Mr Carthy was charged with being drunk in public and using threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.

Mr Carthy was also charged with a public order offence following an incident on January 9, 2026. Gardaí were called to Bonnettstown where Mr Carthy was walking along the road while intoxicated and stumbling out in front of traffic.

The court heard Mr Carthy has 91 previous convictions, including 10 for theft and ‘a large quantity’ of public order offences, and is currently serving a six month prison sentence for theft.

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Solicitor Chris Hogan said his client has a significant difficulty with alcohol and all his offending behaviour is related to that.

Mr Carthy had returned to the Pembroke Hotel within a week and paid for his drinks as well as returning the lamps, the solicitor said.

The same with Centra, when he sobered up and was told by gardaí what he did, he returned to pay for the cans he took.
Mr Hogan said this is often his client’s ‘MO.’

Judge Geraldine Carthy declared that Mr Carthy was “a menace” and “he should be ashamed of himself.” She asked if Mr Carthy thought it was ok to go back days later to pay for items he took.

Judge Geraldine Carthy convicted Mr Carthy and imposed a prison sentence on the theft charges.