Cork man with 178 previous convictions intends to turn life around after latest spell in jail

The judge imposed a six-month prison sentence with the last month suspended

One of the offences the defendant was charged with was a theft at Brown Thomas where three pairs of jeans valued €350 were stolen on January 28. File picture: Dan Linehan

A man with 178 previous convictions has plans to turn his life around but first he will have to serve another five months in jail for his latest round of thefts and other offences.

Judge Mary Dorgan imposed a six-month prison sentence with the last month suspended on Matthew Ginnifer, aged 31, who pleaded guilty to a number of counts, including shoplifting.

Garda Paul Lynch charged the defendant with theft at Brown Thomas where three pairs of jeans valued €350 were stolen on January 28.

On February 9 at Lifestyle Sports at Capitol, Cork, he stole two tracksuits — Nike and Monterrain. Most Recently, on March 13 at JD Sports, St. Patrick’s Street, he stole a North Face tracksuit.

Matthew Ginnifer already had 42 theft convictions.

The same man was arrested on February 1 at Q car park, Carroll’s Quay, Cork, where he was found to be so intoxicated that he was a danger to himself or others. 

Burnt tinfoil, indicative of drug use, was found on a window ledge where he was arrested. He pleaded guilty to the intoxication charge and one of having drugs for his own use.

Back on November 15, 2024, at Parnell Bridge he was stopped by gardaí when he was cycling a bicycle and he could not provide any evidence of being the owner of the bike. 

He told gardaí he bought it for €200 from a man in a derelict house on College Road. He pleaded guilty to handling stolen property in respect of the bicycle.

'Some level of stability'

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said: “He is entitled to some level of credit for early pleas of guilty — he was charged only today. That is a mitigating factor.

“He is a man who has intelligence and follows things. It is regrettable that he keeps coming before the court. In the recent past he has been in a more stable relationship. 

"I know recent offending is a black mark but addiction-wise he has been attending rehabilitation. He has had some level of stability in relation to accommodation between St. Vincent’s and Simon.” 

Judge Mary Dorgan expressed concern about the fact that he had 178 previous convictions.

“I will impose a sentence of six months and suspend the last one month on condition that he enters a probation bond for 12 months, to engage and attend all appointments with probation and do any treatment courses recommended,” the judge said.