Burglar caught with cannabis
Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin imposed a sentence of five years with the last two years suspended at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
David O’Sullivan, aged 28, of 56 Laurel Ridge, Shanakiel, Cork, pleaded guilty to charges of burglary and having drugs for sale or supply.
O’Sullivan admitted that on June 26 2013 he entered a house at Briarscourt, Shanakiel, Cork, in order to commit a theft. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of cannabis for sale or supply to others at his home the following day.
O’Sullivan told Katherine McGillycuddy, defending, yesterday that he had addictions dating back to the age of 12 or 13 with a heroin addiction dating back for the past six years. He said he attended a residential rehabilitation programme at the Coolmine centre in Dublin and that this was the first time he had ever tried to tackle his problem.
Judge Ó Donnabháin said, “This is a serious offence where an innocent party’s house was entered and a large amount of property taken, the majority of which was never recovered.”
“This man has a very bad record. I could not dispose of it other than by a substantial custodial sentence.”
Garda Gary Purthill said the burglary at Shanakiel saw €10,000 worth of property taken, mainly jewellery and electrical goods.
In an investigation of the case gardaí went to the defendant’s home and found €600 worth of the stolen property from the burglary. Otherwise, property was never recovered, Garda Purthill said at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
O’Sullivan also had €600 worth of cannabis for sale or supply on his person.
