Three-month sentence imposed on Offaly man for theft of scooter from store

A Tullamore resident has been handed down a three-month custodial sentence for stealing a scooter from a Naas store.

James Lynch, with an address listed as 66 Church Hill in Tullamore, County Offaly, but who is currently in custody on other matters, pleaded guilty to two theft offences at Naas District Court on Thursday, July 18 last.

The 20-year-old appeared via video-link.

For the first theft, gardaí told presiding judge Nicola-Jane Andrews that on November 26, 2022, Mr Lynch stole a scooter worth €499 from Cahill's Cycles in Naas.

The scooter was not recovered.

For the second incident, gardaí said that on December 31, 2022, Mr Lynch was spotted by a store manager attmepting to leave the SuperValu store located in Sallins with five garden ornaments worth around €210.

According to Garda Sergeant David Hanrahan, three of the five items were in resellable condition.

Sgt Hanrahan added that Mr Lynch has one previous conviction for a burglary offence, which dates back to 2022.

Defending his client, solicitor David Powderly told the judge that his client previously had difficulties with drug addiction and alcohol addiction.

As a result, Mr Powderly said, this led to a 'considerable' period of offending behaviour.'

Judge Andrews pointed to the fact that the scooter was not recovered, and decided to impose a three-month sentence on Mr Lynch.

She backdated the sentence to when he first entered into custody (on July 16).

The court also briefly heard that Mr Lynch faces two allegations of committing burglary in County Kildare.

Judge Andrews adjourned these cases to July 25, to allow time for Mr Lynch to mark a plea, or to mark a date for heairng.