ATTEMPTED BURGLARYAT CHURCH

A 31-year-old man who pleaded guilty to attempted burglary at St Joseph’s Redemptorist Church has been sentenced to five months imprisonment.

Robert McHardy of no fixed abode, Dundalk, has been in custody since this incident occurred on 3 June last.

He admitted entering the St Alphonsus Road church as a trespasser and attempting to commit theft.

Counsel for McHardy submitted his client is single, unemployed and on social welfare. He has been engaging with the probation service.

On this occasion nothing was taken, there was no injured party and no damage caused.

The defendant ‘ does his best to keep fit and active and was in the wrong place at the wrong time.’

Sgt Ray Brady added McHardy has 86 previous convictions, including four for burglary.

Judge Coughlan back-dated the sentence to 3 June last.