Man jailed for crime spree across county

DARREN BRYAN of 36 Hempfield Close, Enniscorthy was sent to prison for 14 months after a series of offences were detailed to Judge John Cheatle.

Gorey District Court learned that the 27-yearold was responsible for thousands of euros worth of criminal damage for which no compensation will ever be paid.

It was also revealed that the defendant, who came to court with his sister and brother, already had 69 convictions on his record.

Drink and drugs were blamed in part for the thefts and criminal damage which occurred at various locations in Wexford, Wellingtonbridge, New Ross and Ferns as well as his home town of Enniscorthy.

On January 17, he took a bottle of white wine from the Gala store in Enniscorthy.

On February 3 last year, Bryan reached over the counter at Burgermac in Wexford and smashed the electric till which cost €3,000 to replace.

On the night of April 25/26 last year, he was discovered intoxicated and aggressive with fists drawn at Ballylough in Ferns.

He was identified as being responsible for breaking windows at Tinkerbells in Ferns and the Fry Days takeaway.

Analysis of blood found at the scene of further criminal damage at J Donohoe’s in Enniscorthy confirmed that he was the culprit there too.

On July 29, 2016 a crate of cider worth €20 was taken from Mace in Enniscorthy.

On November 18 last, he stole an electric razor worth €50 from Sam McCauley’s in New Ross and a bottle of perfume taken from another pharmacist was found on him.

On November 20 last, he filled his pockets with cosmetics which he did not pay for at Wallace’s SuperValu in Wellingtonbridge, to the tune of €27.

On November 19, he helped himself to €122 worth of baby products at the Maxol service station in Ardcavan without paying.

On November 23 last, he was found to have a steak knife with a five inch blade concealed in his sock when taken to a garda station for a search.

The list of previous convictions included eight counts of theft and 11 of criminal damage, the court was informed, as well as eight convictions for threatening/abusive behaviour.

Barrister Eugene Manley pointed out that the defendant had to deal with the death of his father in May of 2014, followed by the death of a younger brother in January of 2015.

Counsel reckoned that 23 witnesses would have been required to prosecute Bryan if his client had not pleaded guilty.

The accused had indicated that he will make an effort to undergo rehab while in prison.

He was sentenced to four months prison for possession of the steak knife and each of the thefts, with seven months marked on each criminal damage charge, consecutive in the Tinkerbells case.

This left him facing 14 months in the Midlands Prison.