Limerick man jailed over spate of burglaries
Limerick Courthouse, Merchant's Quay 11-12-12
A YOUNG man who broke into several homes and business premises less than three months after receiving a suspended prison sentence, was sentenced to 19 months imprisonment.
Thomas Whelan, aged 21, of Hyde Road, Ballinacurra Weston pleaded guilty to a total of 16 different charges.
Limerick court was told the burglary offences happened on dates last September and October and that Whelan had broken into premises in the Raheen, Dooradoyle, and Ballinacurra areas of the city.
A number of laptops and cash were taken – most of which were never recovered.
Judge Eugene O’Kelly noted that Whelan stole just €10 from one house where “hundreds, if not thousands” of euro worth of damage had been caused.
Insp Luke Conlon said Whelan was arrested on October 30, 2012 while driving a stolen car on the Ballysimon Road.
The inspector said the defendant had been disqualified from driving the previous July after he was convicted of separate road traffic matters.
Solicitor Darach McCarthy said his client had cooperated with gardai following his arrest and he told the court he had made admissions which helped garda recover some of the stolen property.
He said of the offences occurred over a “very narrow period of time” and he said his client had been “out of his mind” on prescription drugs.
He added that Whelan recently became a father for the first time and that he wants to “take responsibility for his life”.
Judge O’Kelly said it was a “very aggravating factor” that Whelan had committed the offences so soon after he had received a suspended prison sentence for separate offences.
After activating the nine month suspended sentence, the judge imposed prison sentences totalling 19 months.
He also disqualified Whelan from driving for 10 years.
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Sunday 19 May 2013
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