Thief damaged cars then waited for gardai

Eimear Cotter

A YOUNG man who damaged a number of cars in a housing estate was sitting in a deck chair outside an apartment waiting for gardai to arrive.

Ciaran McDermott (23) has suffered blackouts due to problems with alcohol and sleeping tablets and he does not remember the incident, a court heard.

Judge David McHugh sentenced McDermott to 13 months in prison. The judge also imposed a separate six-month sentence suspended for two years.

The defendant, of Ratoath Avenue in Finglas, admitted before Blanchardstown District Court criminal damage and possession of a pair of scissors at Gofton Hall in Finglas on November 18, 2014.

Sergeant Mary Doherty said gardai were called to the scene following reports of a male causing damage to vehicles.

Sgt Doherty said gardai found McDermott sitting on a deck chair outside an apartment. He was drunk at the time.

McDermott further admitted to stealing two bottles of alcohol, valued at €61, from SuperValu in Finglas on January 5, 2015, as well as a bottle of whiskey, worth €34, on January 30, 2015, and an Apple iPad mini, worth €249, from Power City in Finglas on January 13 last.

The court heard McDermott has 28 previous convictions.

Defence lawyer Jennifer Jackson said McDermott completed his Junior Certificate and started working full time, first in a department store and then in a butchers.

However, by 18 he was out of work. He was sitting at home with nowhere to go, no routine and he started drinking.

Ms Jackson said the defendant's alcohol use spiralled out of a control.

She said many of the crimes he committed were senseless, and took place when he was very drunk in the early hours of the morning.

Ms Jackson said McDermott did not take anything when he broke into the cars.

Imposing 13 months in prison, Judge McHugh said McDermott had committed a "plethora of thuggery".