‘Severerisk’of prison

A 25-year-old man has been warned he is ‘severely at risk’ of going to jail.

Judge McKiernan told Tyrone Byrne that she won’t finalise his case until 4 March. She remanded him on continuing bail until then and ordered an updated probation report.

The defendant, with addresses given at Anne Street and Claddagh Park, Dundalk, pleaded guilty to a number of charges, including a pub burglary.

Sgt Fintan McGroder gave evidence that on 18 August, 2017, the Neptune Bar, Blackrock, was broken into and €300 cash taken.

CCTV showed Byrne and another man breaking in and then leaving with a till drawer. When arrested he had €405 on him, which was seized. His accomplice was never identified.

Judge McKiernan said the money should be ‘long paid back’. She directed the €405 be paid in compensation.

The court was told that the following day, 19 August, at 2.20am, Byrne was spotted stumbling as he walked in a southerly direction at Ladywell.

He was then seen scaling a wall at a house he had no permission to be in.

On 13 January, 2018, at Road 2, Muirhevnamór, the defendant had neither insurance or driving licence for the car he was driving.

There are 40 previous convictions. Solicitor Conor MacGuill noted a probation report was available.

His client is the father of a two-year-old boy, is now in a relationship and has settled down somewhat.

Byrne had some experience of prison life and ‘categorically doesn’t want to return’.

‘You have to wonder did he learn anything in prison?’ the judge asked.

Mr MacGuill said Byrne has matured since ‘fully adopting his parental responsibilities’.

He is on a methadone course and complying with the probation service, and the solicitor asked he be given a chance to follow through. ‘good’

Park Street, was delivered at 5.25am.

Conway didn’t pay. The driver remained until gardaí arrived.

The defendant was upstairs and refused to answer the door.

Solicitor Frank McDonnell said there had been ‘some degree of dispute’ over who was liable for the bill.

He added his client is a mother of five and on social welfare. She regretted the incident which was a first criminal offence.