Mayo man with 96 previous convictions fails in criminal damage appeal

A man with 96 previous convictions has failed in his appeal against a sentence for criminal damage imposed at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court. Anthony Foody, aged 37, from Greenhills Estate in Ballina, Co Mayo, pleaded guilty to criminal damage at a house in Ballina on 19 May 2015. He was sentenced to three years imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended by Judge Rory McCabe on 29 October 2015. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal against sentence on 9 June 2016, with the three-judge court finding the term imposed fell within the discretion of the trial judge. The court noted Foody's extensive criminal history and poor rehabilitation prospects. Justice Alan Mahon observed that the suspended portion of the sentence was designed as an incentive for reform. The appeal was dismissed without error identified in principle.