A man with 142 previous convictions was handed a six-month suspended prison sentence at Ballaghaderreen District Court for stealing a bottle of vodka from a supermarket.
Brian Ward (39), with an address at 10 Cnoc Glass, Boyle, was convicted of stealing the bottle, valued at €33.50, from Duffy’s SuperValu in Ballaghaderreen on March 9th, 2025.
The court was told that 51 of Ward’s 142 convictions were for theft.
“This is a pattern,” said Judge Vincent Deane.
Ward’s solicitor, Ivan Moran, explained that his client had been serving time in prison for theft, and had addressed his alcohol issues.
He said that Ward had been to Cluain Mhuire and had been sober since June of last year.
According to Mr Moran, Ward said he was now “on the straight and narrow” since getting out of prison.
The solicitor pointed out that the accused is married, with 10 children.
Judge Deane imposed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for one year.
