Man wearing balaclava and gloves watched customers leaving shop
By Brendan Grehan
A BALACLAVA- and glove-wearing man armed with a screwdriver who was standing outside a shop in Clondalkin watching customers was jailed for four months by Blanchardstown District Court.
Sentencing Shane Pollard, Judge David McHugh said the case against Pollard was “very serious”.
Pollard, aged 42, with an address at Thornfield Square, Watery Lane, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to possession of a balaclava, latex gloves and a screwdriver for use in theft at Tower Road, Clondalkin, on October 23, 2017.
Sergeant Geraldine McManigan told Judge McHugh that at 9.20pm on the above date, gardai on patrol observed Pollard and another male who were wearing balaclavas and blue latex gloves.
She said Pollard and the other male were watching people coming and going from a nearby Daybreak store.
Sgt McManigan said the two men were put under surveillance and then were stopped and searched. They were found to be in possession of screwdrivers. She said Pollard had 28 previous convictions.
In February 2018, he had been sentenced to two years for theft. Of the 28 convictions, Sgt McManigan said seven were for theft and two were for robbery.
Judge McHugh said the incident was “very serious” as they were watching people leaving the shop while they were wearing balaclavas.
Pollard’s solicitor, Terry Hanahoe, said his client had been taking drugs since his 20s. He said Pollard is currently serving a two-year sentence and is undergoing drug treatment while in prison.
Judge McHugh sentenced Pollard to four months jail and ordered that it commence at the end of his current sentence.
