Sligo man (30) receives five month jail sentence after trespassing and setting wheelie bins on fire
The Sligo ChampionA 30-year-old man has received a five-month jail sentence at Sligo District Court after he set two wheelie bins on fire and trespassed into a building and handled stolen property. Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said that the court’s sentencing options were limited for the defendant due to him consistently refusing to engage with the probation services.
Dylan Lynott (30) of Garavogue Villas, Sligo was charged with stealing alcohol products total value €14.15 from Tesco, O’Connell St, Sligo on May 12, 2024. He was also charged with committing arson damage by fire by setting two wheelie bins on fire which were inside a small shed damaging both sheds and bins at Pearse Court, Pearse Road, Sligo on May 11, 2024. He is also charged with entering a building as a trespasser at Pearse Court. On the same date at Market Yard, Sligo he was charged with handling stolen property, one 100 Rupee note, three US dollars, and one HP Laptop knowing that the property was stolen.
Mr John Anderson, solicitor (defending), told Judge Cunningham that they were very serious matters. He added that his client pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. He asked Judge Cunningham could she direct a probation report for Lynott.
Judge Cunningham said that Lynott told her that he did not engage with the probation services because of his part-time work.
Sergeant David McDonagh told the court that on May 11, 2024, gardaí received a report of a break in at Pearse Court from the injured party. Gardaí were told that property was taken from the injured party.
A witness came forward to gardaí and identified Lynott as the perpetrator. They told gardaí that the defendant was seen acting suspiciously in the vicinity of the apartment block.
Gardaí subsequently spoke to Lynott and noticed that an Indian dollar was sticking out of his front pocket. The defendant was arrested and gardaí found a U.S. dollar in his sock and the HP laptop was found in proximity. Lynott’s shoes matched the shoe prints found at the property.
Two wheelie bins were also set on fire at the rear of the building. Lynott initially denied committing these offences to gardaí. The wheelie bins were valued at €600.
On May 12, 2024, gardaí received a report from security staff from Tesco that Lynott was being held for theft. The security staff told gardaí that Lynott took alcohol valued at €14.15 and passed all points of payment. Gardaí viewed CCTV footage which identified Lynott. He was arrested and conveyed to Sligo Garda Station. The goods were recovered.
The court heard that Lynott had eight previous convictions and that he received a suspended sentence in February 2024.
Mr Anderson told Judge Cunningham that his client had not many previous convictions. He added that there were gaps in his client’s previous convictions and that he has not come to adverse garda attention since.
Mr Anderson said Lynott had a daughter and that it would be a hardship on her if his client got a custodial sentence. He asked Judge Cunningham if she could consider Lynott’s suitability for community service.
Judge Cunningham said that she cannot, as Lynott had not engaged with the probation services. She added that she cannot “dream up his suitability” for community service. She continued that Lynott had consistently refused to engage with the service.
Judge Cunningham said that there were very serious charges and that Lynott was fortunate that jurisdiction was in the District Court.
Mr Anderson said that his client had made his decision in regard to the probation services. He added that there were quite serious charges. He continued that the laptop was recovered and that the 100 rupees that Lynott stole was equivalent to 90c. Mr Anderson continued that his client was knocking on the door of prison.
Mr Anderson also told Judge Cunningham that Lynott’s friends owed his client money and that he would be able to pay the injured party €600 by June 9.
Judge Cunningham said that there were a number of sentencing options available to the court including supervision under the probation services. She added that a probation and welfare report was directed for Lynott but that he refused to engage with the service for a number of times over the years. Judge Cunningham continued that this made the court sentencing options limited.
Judge Cunningham sentenced Lynott to five months in prison for the arson, trespassing and handling stolen property charges. She took the theft charge into consideration as the items were recovered.
Article funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.