A man who had 103 previous convictions appeared before Galway District Court following a shoplifting spree around the city, which included stealing perfume and aftershave to the value of €1,000 from one pharmacy.
Ryan Goldbey, 74 Fana Burca, Knocknacarra, was before Judge Catherine Ryan on nine separate theft charges.
Outlining his record and previous convictions, prosecuting Garda Sgt Damien Prendergast said, “I could be here all day.”
Along with stealing the perfume and aftershave from Leo’s Pharmacy, he was charged with taking goods from Tesco, including an electric toothbrush valued at €150 and beauty products valued at over €140, and several items from Dealz stores.
John Martin solr (defending ) said his client is 30 and he had been dealing with him since he was a juvenile. His parents had done their best for him but he had addiction issues. His father and grandfather were in court to support him. He had attended Cluain Mhuire treatment centre but left before his course was completed.
He had been clean for six months after that, Mr Martin said, but last June things started up again. “He’s fine when not under the control of drugs,” he pleaded, but his client had a heroin habit.
Judge Ryan said she noted the number of different outlets involved in these activities, adding that people were entitled to run their businesses without the likes of Mr Goldbey “waltzing in and out” and stealing what they liked.
She said she noted his addiction but also noted that he didn’t seem to be doing much to help himself.
The Judge said she estimated that the goods taken in this spate of thefts added up to approximately €1,700 and she queried if there was any effort to compensate the victims.
Mr Martin said Goldbey’s grandfather would help out but Judge Ryan said she didn’t want to penalise the family as this wasn’t fair, but there were victims here who needed to be considered.
On nine separate theft charges she sentenced the defendant to a total of seven months’ imprisonment, backdated to December 4 last when he was taken into custody.
