A YOUNG Limerick man who ransacked a parked car last August, broke in to the Holy Rosary Parish Centre and took a ceiling projector in October, broke in to a house on the Ennis Road and was found in the kitchen by the home owner, stole the keys of an Ennis Road newsagents a few hours later, committed a burglary a week later and caused €650 worth of criminal damage to four parked cars at a city centre car facility, has been jailed for 16 months and has had a further four month suspended sentence activated by the court.
22-year-old Cian O’Donnell with an address at Creagh Ave, Killeely, was arrested and charged with a plethora of offences and had been released on bail.
Judge Eugene O’Kelly was told at Limerick District Court that all of the offences before the court for finalisation, were committed while the 22-year-old was on bail.
In February 2013, O’Donnell was given two four month prison sentences that were suspended for a period of 18 months.
Before sentencing Cian O’Donnell, who had pleaded guilty to all matters before the court, Judge O’Kelly commented at his surprise that having imposed a six month prison sentence in February of this year for a number of offences, he was alarmed to learn that the 22-year-old was released from custody after just six days.
“What is the point in sentencing someone to six months in prison for them only to be released six days later. What is the point in that?,” he questioned.
Defence solicitor John Devane said that his client had been on what is known at temporary release from prison and that it was an administrative matter with the prison.
Outlining the difficulties his client had, Mr Devane said that the “main and sole problem of Cian O’Donnell is his addiction to alcohol.
“I have been a close family friend for some 30 years and this young man comes from a respectable background and has family involved in nursing, teaching and other professions.”
Mr Devane added that the Cian O’Donnell’s grandfather died 12 months ago and he had been “a particularly steadying influence on his life. He wouldn’t have allowed Cian to get into trouble as he brought him fishing and to rugby matches as well as many other activities to fill his day.
“We have sought help in the past for his addiction but we will be putting a plan inn place to make sure he receives the correct type of counselling and support for his addiction.
Judge O’Kelly activated the four month suspended sentence and imposed a total of 16 months in prison for all other matters.
