Courts / Dublin / Report
"Prolific" thief busted after garda spotted him walking with stolen bike still locked to piece of railing
Summary
Thomas O'Driscoll, 35, was arrested after a Garda saw him walking down a city centre street with a stolen mountain bike still locked to a railing. The bike was later identified as stolen property. O'Driscoll, who has 193 convictions, pleaded guilty to possessing the stolen bike, to stealing €1,300 worth of clothing from Urban Outfitters, to possessing a stolen ladies coat, and to trespassing and theft at a holiday apartment letting office in Temple Bar. He was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail, backdated to September of the previous year when he entered custody. The judge noted his prolific shoplifting record. Garda Carl Bolger reported CCTV footage of O'Driscoll taking clothes, and he was later found with a stolen coat from Marks and Spencer. O'Driscoll's defence highlighted his troubled background, drug addiction, and attempts at rehabilitation. The court also noted his father's murder when he was 11, his early school leaving, and his ongoing methadone programme in custody.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Prolific" thief busted after garda spotted him walking with stolen bike still locked to piece of railing. Charges or matters: one count of possessing the stolen mountain bike on August 4 last year; one count of stealing €1,300 worth of clothing from Urban Outfitters in Dublin on July 25 last year, one count of possessing a stolen ladies coat on August 2 last year and one count of trespassing and theft at a holiday apartment letting office in Temple Bar on August 31 last year. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 4 Incident
- July 25 Incident
- August 2 Incident
- August 31 Incident
- 2018-02-20 Publication
Why: Derek Cooney BL, defending, said his client had a troubled history and carried out the offences to fund his "chaotic and chronic drug lifestyle". Defence account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of possessing the stolen mountain bike on August 4 last year; one count of stealing €1,300 worth of clothing from Urban Outfitters in Dublin on July 25 last year, one count of possessing a stolen ladies coat on August 2 last year and one count of trespassing and theft at a holiday apartment letting office in Temple Bar on August 31 last year (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was jailed for two-and-a-half years today. He started using drugs at the age of 11 and was jailed as a young teenager, which resulted in him becoming addicted to crack cocaine, Mr Cooney said.
Places mentioned
- Gloucester Diamond Park
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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