BROKE INTO LOCAL SHOPS ON SAME NIGHT

A Dundalk man who broke into a number of local businesses in the early hours of the same morning has been given a three month sentence.

Conor Agnew, (22), 13 Fatima Drive, admitted burglaries and criminal damage charges at Toolfix, Park Street; at Grafters Barbers and at Milanos takeaway on April 20.

Judge Flann Brennan was told how at around 1.20am, the alarm at Toolfix was activated after the glass was smashed. Noone was found on the premises when Gardai arrived and they then received a report about a break-in at the barbers.

When they arrived there, they saw someone coming out of the shop through a broken pane of glass, wearing a distinctive white hoodie. The item was found the following day during a search of Agnew’s house.

He also admitted breaking into Milano’s in Bridge Street, causing €300 damage to a side window and taking €400 from the till. The Toolfix window cost €400 to replace and a small amount of money was stolen.

Agnew, who was 60 previous convictions, including for burglary, attempted robbery, burglary and criminal damage, has been in custody since April 21, solicitor Conor MacGuill said.

The solicitor said: ‘What he had sought to do, which he had tried to do previously, but it didn’t work out, was to make some effort to deal with the addiction which is grounding the commission of these offences.

‘He wished to get treatment and he has completed a Merchant’s Quay project in prison which was six months long. He has demonstrated that he is suitable and available for aftercare through the Turas service’.

Mr MacGuill said the offences were serious and Agnew has many previous convictions, but he asked for the defendant ‘ to be given credit for being innovative in getting the treatment and is living as a recovered addict and will seek further treatment for it so he doesn’t go back towards the court’.

He added the offences were all committed on one night and not while he was on bail.

Mr MacGuill said: ‘He has followed through and has been innovative and quite proactive about how he has sought to deal with the issues’.

Judge Brennan imposed a three month sentence and Mr MacGuill asked for it to be suspended as ‘it may be a useful exercise’.

Judge Brennan refused, but allowed Agnew to appeal the sentence in his own bond of €500.