Kilkenny offender pleads to all charges before court
The defendant has 277 previous convictions
A defendant with 277 previous convictions who admitted theft and public order offences was handed down suspended sentences at a recent sitting of Kilkenny District Court.
Wayne McGrory, Good Shepherd Centre, Church Lane, Kilkenny pleaded guilty to the offences before the court.
Sergeant Morgan O’Connor told the court that on May 7, 2026 gardaí had received a report from the Office of Government Buildings on the Hebron Road.
“Wayne Mc Grory came to the office to speak about welfare payments and got aggressive with a member of staff.
“He told the member of staff that: “I’ll be waiting for you when you come out this evening, I’ll do you.”
The defendant also pleaded guilty to theft from Dunnes Stores on Kieran Street on May 12.
The court heard that on the date in question the defendant entered the premises and stole four packets of baby powder, pizza and sausage rolls. The total value of the goods stolen was €79.30.
The defendant also pleaded guilty to theft from Dunnes Stores at MacDonagh Junction on May 15, 2024 when he entered the store at 11.15am and stole washing powder and baby formula with a combined value of €64.98. He returned and tried to leave with five packets of baby formula.
Sgt O’Connor informed the court that the defendant ‘does not have any children that would require baby formula’.
The court also heard that on May 10, 2026 the defendant entered the public office of Kilkenny Garda Station and ‘fell on the counter on a number of occasions’.
“He was arrested for his own safety and put in a cell to sober up.”
Solicitor Chris Hogan told the court that his client wished to apologise to the court.
“This is a particularly tragic case. My client was in the care of the state since he was a juvenile. When he left the care of the state there were limited supports in place.
“The thefts (before the court) were to fund an addiction to crack cocaine,” said Mr Hogan adding that ‘baby powder is used to sell on the streets’.
“The thefts are at the lower end of the scale,” said Mr Hogan.
Mr Hogan also outlined how on the night of the public order offence at Kilkenny Garda Station his client was homeless and went to the garda station looked for help.
“He was going to the garda station looking for help as he was homeless and he ended up picking up a charge,” he added.
“The cycle of prison is not working for him, it is treatment that he needs,” said Mr Hogan.
Judge Elizabeth Healy sentenced the defendant to a total of four months in prison, which she suspended for 12 months.
“The ball is in your court, if you do anything in the next 12 months you will end up in prison. You have the opportunity now to progress matters and engage with the services,” she said.