Jail for shoplifter who was once a promising soccer player

Alcohol and drugs played role in accused's life spiralling out of control, court heard

The accused had trials with Glasgow Celtic as a teenager but addiction took hold of his life, the court was told. 

A promising soccer player who had trials with Glasgow Celtic as a teenager was jailed for a spate of shoplifting offences committed some 20 years later.

Before turning to address the crimes carried out by 38-year-old Daniel O’Donovan, solicitor Frank Buttimer spoke of the early promise in the defendant’s life that never came to fruition.