Burglar needed gardaí to rescue him
illustrative purposes only
A man who allegedly attempted to burgle a shop but got locked in and had to ring the guards to be rescued was given a chance and a Peace Bond for six months on the trespass charge.
The bungled burgle occurred at the XL Shop in Dún Bhroin, Athy on 18 March last.
This was a place where he had previous experience which resulted in a court appearance, after he stole a €5 Christmas bauble in December 2022.
“I see you’ve got a new haircut. What butcher did you go to?” ribbed Judge Desmond Zaidan at the 14 January sitting of Athy District Court.
He was speaking to 19-year-old John Paul Carthy, previously of Ardrew Halting Site, Athy. Mr Carthy currently has an address in Smallford.
He is a young offender who is well known to the judge.
“Are you behaving yourself?” he asked.
“He hasn’t come to (garda) attention since and is doing very well,” his solicitor Jackie McManus assured the court.
“He got stuck in a shop (XL) and had to ring the guards to come and rescue him! You couldn’t make it up!” chuckled the judge.
“I don’t know what to make of your client, Ms McManus, I’ve heard of dumb criminals, but …” he added.
Sergeant Dave Hanrahan told the court that Mr McCarthy was also charged with theft from Aldi in Monasterevin on 23 March.
And previous to that, with trespassing at the Tegral factory in Athy on 9 March 2023.
He also revealed that the defendant had no previous convictions.
Ms McManus stated that Mr Carthy wasn’t working.
“You’re going to get an apprenticeship, learn a skill and it would be much better for you,” Judge Zaidan advised.
“What do you suggest I do with you?” he asked Mr Carthy.
“Give him a chance,” suggested Ms McManus.
“Let him answer,” said the judge.
“Give me a chance?” offered Mr Carthy.
“Come into my office on Friday and we’ll see what we can get you,” said Ms McManus.
The judge then put Mr Carthy on a Peace Bond for six months.
“If you’re brought back before me in the next six months, I’ll send you to jail for six months,” the judge warned.
“Find something,” urged the judge. “You don’t have to be Einstein.”
“What’s your new year’s resolution?” he asked.
“I don’t have one,” Mr Carthy admitted.
“How about ‘don’t come back before me’?” said the judge.
“We’ll sit him down and try to get him a job,” promised Ms McManus.
Judge Zaidan ruled as outlined.
