Man pleads guilty to stealing yacht equipment

Expensive equipment was stolen from yachts locked up at a boatyard in Crosshaven and yesterday the culprit pleaded guilty to the crimes.

The offences were committed more than four years ago but, in the meantime, the culprit was in prison in England serving time for a drug-related crime.

Inspector Bill Duane said Patrick O’Sullivan of 10 Carthage Place, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, had spent two and a half years in prison in England and was only now coming before Cork District Court on charges stemming from April and May 2010.

Emmet Boyle, solicitor, said O’Sullivan, 24, was pleading guilty to the charges against him.

Judge Leo Malone accepted jurisdiction to deal with them after Inspector Duane outlined the allegations in respect of each charge.

The property was stolen from the boats at the boatyard in Crosshaven, Co Cork, Insp Duane said.

A number of charges against O’Sullivan were struck out and the prosecution went ahead with six counts related to the theft of property from yachts.

The stolen property ranged from around €250 to well over €1,000 from each boat. The stolen items included an out-board engine, sat nav equipment, television sets, CD players, drills, sanders, toolboxes, binoculars, and radios.

It was pointed out that a lot of the property was recovered in a follow-up investigation.

Sentencing was adjourned for a fortnight to allow time for Sgt Ger O’Callaghan to be present to give detailed evidence.