Thief with 93 ‘previous’ gets suspended sentence for €1,000 goods robbery

By Brendan Grehan

A THIEF who made off with over €1,000 worth of goods in three incidents, including 12 bottles of Captain Morgan and 10 bottles of Smirnoff, got an 11-month suspended sentence in Blanchardstown Court.

James McGuinness, aged 32, with an address at Harelawn Drive, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to stealing goods worth €181.70 from Spar, Decies Road, Ballyfermot, on January 2, 2017.

He also pleaded guilty to stealing 12 bottles of Captain Morgan rum worth €300 and a bottle of Smirnoff worth €25 from Tesco, Hillcrest, Lucan, on October 6, 2016.

McGuinness also pleaded guilty to stealing 10 one-litre bottles of Smirnoff worth €393.60 from Tesco, Hillcrest, Lucan, on January 2, 2017.

Sergeant Maria Callaghan told Judge David McHugh that on October 6, 2016, McGuinness stole 12 bottles of Captain Morgan rum. She said the property had not been recovered.

She added that on January 2 last, McGuinness took 10 bottles of vodka and placed them in a bag. Sgt Callaghan said that two bottles dropped on the shop floor and smashed.

She added that McGuinness was later stopped in a car on the Newcastle Road and he was found in possession of goods worth €181.70 that had been been stolen from Spar on Decies Road.

Sgt Callaghan said McGuinness had 93 previous convictions. On January 12 last, he was convicted on three counts of theft. 

McGuinness’ solicitor, Ed Flynn, told Judge McHugh that his client was putting his hands up and had pleaded guilty at the earliest possible stage.

Judge McHugh sentenced McGuinness told 11 months jail, suspended for two years for the theft from Spar and took the remaining matters into consideration.