Beerthief getssentence suspended

A man who shoplifted cans of Budweiser on five occasions in Ashford had part of his sentence suspended on appeal.

Michael Connors (28), 8 Daletree Halting Site, Ballycragh, Dublin 24, appeared in Wicklow Circuit Court sitting in Bray last Thursday.

His barrister Eoin Gallagher asked the judge to suspend an 11-month sentence, consecutive to a first 11-month sentence.

The court heard that Connors was arrested on January 19 and all of the matters were drink-related.

Mr Gallagher said that his client had quite a list of previous convictions at a young age.

‘Unfortunately for Mr Connors, it’s taken it until this sentence to figure himself out,’ said Mr Gallagher. ‘Since going into prison, he’s clean, he has been attending prison school, and a number of courses in areas such as anger management and alcohol abuse. He’s doing his best to try to deal with his issues and try to put himself in a better position.’

Mr Gallagher said that with a suspended sentence hanging over him after release, Connors would have ‘a stick to go with the carrot’.

‘If he works as hard as he has done in custody and made the changes he says he has made he won’t have to worry about the suspended sentence. If not, then that’s it for another 11 months.’

The judge expressed concern about help available for Connors. ‘He’s not getting alcohol at present, but what about when he comes out?’ she said.