'It wasn't his lucky day' for man who stole lottery cards from Laois store

A JUDGE said it wasn’t a lucky day for a man who came before him for the theft of lottery scratch cards.

Garda Sgt JJ Kirby told Judge Andrew Cody at last week’s sitting of the district court in Portlaoise that on 30 July 2024, gardaí received a report from the Centra store on Main Street, Portarlington of the theft of €100 of National Lottery scratch cards.

While gardaí were in the store investigating the incident, the same man returned and proceeded to take another €20 of scratch cards before he was apprehended.

After hearing the first €100 of scratch cards were not recovered, Judge Cody asked: “Were the others in an unscathed state?” “There was not a scratch on them,” replied the accused barrister, David Nugent, to which Judge Cody said: “It wasn’t his lucky day, so.” Arising from the incident, Jason Harford from Downshire Place, Edenderry, Co Offaly pleaded guilty to two counts of theft.

The court was told that the accused had 94 previous convictions.

Mr Nugent said: “Sometimes a court might get an opportunity to change somebody’s life. This is a case where the court can change Mr Harford’s life. It’s a pivotal moment in his life where he wants to change. The litany of his offences, he says, are all now behind him. He realises what is ahead of him and it will be a toil to rid himself of his addiction. He has years ahead of him to be a good role model to his son. He seems quite focused to change his life around.” Mr Nugent said he was asking the court to keep Mr Harford on a tight leash as he was seeking a residential placement with Merchant’s Quay St Francis Farm to deal with his addiction.

“He can go farming or to the Midlands (prison),” said Judge Cody, “it’s up to him.” He went on to convict Mr Harford of the offences and imposed a nine-month sentence on each, with both sentences suspended for three years.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.