Wexford man with 192 convictions pleads guilty to multiple theft and public order offences in Gorey
Wexford PeopleA Co Wexford man entered pleas of guilty in connection to multiple offences which were fuelled by addiction.
Thomas Nolan (38) of No Fixed Abode, was before Gorey District Court in connection with offences of theft, public order, and criminal damage.
The court heard an outline of the offences including on September 13 2025, when Nolan kicked in the door of a café and bakery in Gorey and stole the till and subsequently emptied the cash drawer. Nolan has been in custody since this offence.
On September 5 2025 Nolan entered an off licence where he paid for some alcohol but had hidden others under his top. The court also heard how on September 22 2024 the accused took air fresheners to the value of €72 from Pettitt’s SuperValu, Gorey.
Nolan is also charged with public order offences. Gardaí informed the court that on November 9 2024 they were called Main Street, Gorey where Nolan was verbally abusive to the staff at Tesco, Gorey. On a another occasion the accused was highly intoxicated in Tesco car park in Gorey and had taken approximately €50 worth of jewellery from a car. There was also a further public order offence before the court dated January 3 2025 where gardaí responded to a call of a male acting suspiciously. Once they arrived, officers observed Nolan intoxicated and shouting at members of the public before becoming aggressive to gardaí.
The accused broke a window of a vacant property in Gorey on October 17 2024 causing €200 worth of damage.
Lana Doherty, solicitor for the accused, informed the court that Nolan has entered a plea to a large number of matters. Ms Doherty stated her client has a history of addiction and further added that all Nolan’s offending was fuelled by addiction. She further stated that in relation to the offence of breaking into the vacant property, Nolan was seeking somewhere to stay at the time.
The solicitor informed the court that as a result of an assault Nolan lost the vision in one of his eyes and that recently as a result of trauma to his “good eye”, is now suffering with blurred vision. Ms Doherty told the court her client attends weekly check-ups to an ophthalmologist who has confirmed that they have concerns on operating on the eye at the risk of completely blinding the defendant.
The court heard that as a result of the accused’s blurred vision he is confined to his cell where Nolan added he is sleeping on the floor due to overcrowding within the prison. Ms Doherty highlighted that as a result of his eyesight Nolan cannot go out to the yard or participate in any activities and remarked how this is not effective rehabilitation.
Judge John Cheatle stated that Nolan’s record is bad, with some 192 previous convictions. However the Judge did sympathise with the situation of the accused and granted Nolan bail on the condition that he sign on at Enniscorthy Garda Station once a week, be of sober habits, stay out of Pettitt’s SuperValu in Gorey, provide a phone number to An Garda Síochána and be contactable when they phone, and be of good behaviour.
Judge Cheatle adjourned the matter to November 2026 for a probation report and finalisation of the matters.