Man with 39 previous convictions sent to prison for debit card theft at Limerick car park

A MAN with 39 previous convictions has been sentenced to four weeks’ imprisonment for stealing a debit card from a car in a prominent Limerick shopping area.

Michael Parker, 38, of Thomondgate, broke into a woman’s car at the Crescent Shopping Centre on December 1, 2025.

The victim was alerted to the theft when she received a notification on her phone that a transaction had been made on her AIB debit card.

The man was found by gardaí in possession of the card upon a search, Limerick District Court heard.

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Mr Parker pleaded guilty to using the woman’s card at Henry Street's 24/7 Shop.

Prosecuting Sergeant Denis Waters detailed that Mr Parker has 39 previous convictions, including 10 section four thefts, a section three assault, two for the supply and sale of drugs, four for drug possession, a number of public order offences, and four convictions for failing to comply with civil orders.

Mr Parker was serving a sentence for a different theft, which he had been convicted for the week prior, when he appeared before the court.

Judge Patricia Harney said “It’s all very sad and difficult”, and convicted and sentenced Mr Parker to four weeks’ imprisonment.

-Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme