Man who trespassed thought he had a right to do so Tullamore court heard

A man who trespassed on a building, responded after a garda caution that he was ''just getting my property out of it. The landlord wouldn't answer the phone''.

Sergeant Brendan Kearns said that on January, 1, 2025, at a building on Church Street, Stephen Bracken (30) of no fixed abode, had gained entry through a rear window on the first floor. He had formerly resided at the residence and ''thought he had a right,'' to enter the property the court heard.

Solicitor Aisling Maloney said her client had just been released from prison at the time and had been living there prior to that. He had tried to ring the landlord. He was on medication. Last January he received an 8 month sentence.

He had spent a lot of time in custody and his ex-partner had given birth to a child while he was in prison. He was determined to change and wants to be involved with his child. She asked Judge Cody not to add to his current prison sentence.

Judge Cody said because of his early plea he would impose a one month sentence which he would suspend for two years. He assigned legal aid to Ms Maloney.

READ NEXT: Offaly County Council steps in to revive derelict landmark