Carnew man admits to series of thefts

A 23-YEAR-OLD man from Carnew admitted a series of thefts when he appeared at Wexford District Court as Judge Gerard Haughton considered a probation report.

The court learned that Niall Byrne, with an address at 13 Emmet Place in Carnew, had repeatedly been caught driving without insurance, in defiance of an order banning him from holding a licence.

He had also driven off after filling up at the pumps on forecourts in Kilmuckridge and Ballywilliam.

Solicitor Ed King observed that his client was the eldest in a family of four boys and originally from Carnew.

He had been diagnosed as having ADHD and he was prescribed medication.

He resided for a while with an aunt and made some progress while he was with her.

However, after moving from her house, his tendency to self-destruction became apparent as he committed crimes.

The solicitor suggested that Byrne was anxious to address his issues with cannabis and other drugs.

He went to England with his partner for a period but returned to Ireland as his mother was dying.

The probation service had not followed up the case, suggested Mr King.

Judge Gerard Haughton said there was going to be a sentence but he considered suspending part of the term.

‘If I don’t pull up my socks, my child will be taken away from me,’ said the defendant.

The judge was told that Byrne was also due before the District Court in Arklow this month.

The matter stands adjourned to September 27.