200 hours community service for shoplifter who stole bodywarmer
By Brendan Grehan
A SHOPLIFTER who was using “cocaine, tablets and alcohol” was sentenced to 200 hours community service by Blanchardstown District Court.
Judge David McHugh heard that Scott Byrne has 19 previous convictions.
Blanchardstown District Court
Byrne, aged 29, with an address at St Ronan’s Crescent, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to stealing a JCB Bodywarmer worth €48.20 from B and Q, Liffey Valley, on March 7, 2016.
He also pleaded guilty to failing to appear at Blanchardstown District Court on November 5, 2018.
Byrne also pleaded guilty to stealing perfume worth €81 from Boots, Liffey Valley, on July 3, 2016.
He also pleaded guilty to stealing a sweatshirt and trousers worth €80 from Dunnes Stores, Liffey Valley, on April 12, 2016.
Byrne also pleaded guilty to stealing clothing worth €150 from Dunnes Stores, Liffey Valley, on April 9, 2016.
Sergeant Maria Callaghan told Judge McHugh that at 3.37pm on July 3, 2016, Byrne entered B and Q and took a bodywarmer and left without paying for it.
She added that at 8.15pm on the same day, Byrne entered Boots in Liffey Valley and stole perfume.
Sgt Callaghan told the court that on April 12, 2016, Byrne entered Dunnes Stores and took clothing worth €80 and left without paying for it.
Sgt Callaghan said Byrne had 19 previous convictions.
Judge McHugh asked why offences which were before the court dated back to 2016 and were only surfacing now.
Sgt Callaghan said Byrne had taken a number of bench warrants on the charges.
Byrne’s solicitor, Luke Staines, said his client had called into his office and he had arranged to have the warrants executed.
Mr Staines said Byrne “had a baby seven weeks ago”.
He said Byrne has completed a five-week drug rehabilitation programme in Enfield and is now clean.
Mr Staines added: “At the time of the offences he was abusing tablets, cocaine and alcohol.”
Judge McHugh sentenced Byrne to 200 hours community service in lieu of five months jail.
