Gambler stole to repay debts

A GAMBLER who was under pressure to repay his debts climbed a drainpipe to get in through a first-floor window of the parochial house in Ballincollig where he stole €7,000 in cash.

Detective Garda Pat Condon testified yesterday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that Ken O’Mahony, of 64 Castlepark, Ballincollig, Co Cork, committed this crime on July 12, 2010.

Judge Patrick J Moran imposed a sentence of six years with the last four-and-a-half suspended. The sentence is in respect of this burglary and several others committed by O’Mahony this year and last year.

O’Mahony, aged 37, was seen on CCTV climbing a drainpipe and getting in through a first-floor window that had been left open. “Afterwards €1,000 cash was missing from an unlocked safe and €6,000 in cash was taken from another room,” Det Gda Condon said.

Defence barrister Peter Murray said O’Mahony was under serious pressure to repay gambling debts.

Other burglaries and attempted burglaries were carried out by O’Mahony at the parochial house in Innishannon, the presbytery at Curraheen Road, Cork, and the Presentation Convent in Bandon, where he stole €800 from a handbag in a bedroom and an envelope containing €400 from another room.

Judge Moran told him: “You have a fondness for Church property, to put it like that, and you used the money to pay debts.”

The defendant said that for family reasons he was determined to put all that behind him and live a better life.