HAVING been earlier refused bail, a Limerickman appeared at the District Court in connection with an alleged burglary matter after he was arrested on foot of a separate bench warrant issued by the Criminal Courts of Justice at Cloverhill.
Charges of the theft of a mobile phone at Abrakebabra restaurant on O’Connell Street, on July 13, were also before the court, where it is alleged that the accused, Lee McNamara, approached the counter and stole the phone, valued at €450, after he allegedly forced open the door at 9am, while cleaning staff were working inside.
On July 16 last, Gardai attended the reports of a break-in at Johnsgate Village where the defendant was spotted exiting a premises through a broken window.
McNamara, aged 23, and described in court as “homeless,” was arrested by gardai and made admissions to bwweing on the premises. No property was stolen in the incident.
A third charge relating to public order offences was also before the court where it was given in evidence that on June 17 last, the accused was intoxicated on Cruises Street, and was stopping members of the public asking for cigarettes.
McNamara had 17 previous convictions and received an eight month prison sentence in January for Road Traffic Offences, and the unauthorised taking of a vehicle and associated charges.
In mitigation for the accused, Sarah Ryan solicitor, said that her client was taking shelter from bad weather when he was seen at the address in Johnsgate and was of the belief that it was a simple trespassing charge of the unoccupied house.
It was also added that the McNamara was in fact homeless, and that the address given was a family home that he did not reside at.
McNamara, who was in custody since the previous Sunday, entered an early plea.
Judge Eamon O’Brien jailed him for nine months.
