Kerry summer crime ‘spree’ earns thief a nine-month prison sentence
The KerrymanA Kerry jersey, an electric scooter, a drill, cash and debit cards were amongst items stolen by a caravan park resident on ‘a spree’ in July and August, Tralee District Court heard last Wednesday.
Eamon Stamp (39), who gave his address as 30 Seaside Caravan Park, Camp, appeared in court for charges that involved more than €3,000 of stolen property.
The charges were between June 14 and August 2, while two dated back to November 2024.
Mr Stamp has been in custody since August 3.
On hearing there were 28 charges, Judge Mark O’Connell said the court would hear the sizeable list of allegations against Mr Stamp after lunch to help move courthouse proceedings quicker.
It was alleged that Mr Stamp stole materials totalling €2,193.55, in addition to €573 in cash, a €20 gift card and €482.37 in debit card withdrawals from accounts that were not his own.
Most charges involved shoplifting from commercial outlets around Tralee but also included burglary from private residences and a car.
The list of goods stolen included a drill, two purses and a handbag, a wallet, Xanax tablets, a mobile satellite navigation device, sunglasses, groceries, perfume, an electric scooter, a backpack and a Kerry jersey.
In addition, the State alleged he stole four debit cards, a driving licence and a Revolut card.
There was also an attempted transaction of €22.05 from a Revolut card.
Mr Stamp was represented by solicitor Pat Mann.
“He is a native of Dublin who has suffered the most horrendous addictions in the last few years,” Mr Mann told the court.
He noted Mr Stamp’s ease with authorities and explained that seven gardaí were involved in the charges and his client had co-operated with all of them.
Mr Mann noted, “all that spree, one might describe it, happened in a month and a bit”.
The court heard that Mr Stamp had 117 previous convictions, which included 20 for theft and one for driving without insurance. Mr Stamp had no prior convictions for burglary, noted the State.
His most recent conviction was at a Cork court in April.
None of these offences were violent, noted Mr Mann.
“He is a most pleasant personality, other than this,” said the solicitor.
While serving at Cork Prison, Mr Mann told the court, Mr Stamp worked as a cook, had undergone addiction counselling and was an ‘enhanced’ prisoner, having displayed good behaviour and commitment to rehabilitation.
“He was prepared to take his punishment, take his medicine and plead guilty,” said Mr Mann.
Judge O’Connell sentenced him to three months for the theft of the drill, three months for theft at a family property and three months for the theft of contents from a car.
The sentences are to be served consecutively and backdated to August 3 when he went into custody.
“Nine months in prison, backdated, taking all matters into consideration,” said Judge O’Connell.