Attempted to steal from till in Offaly hotel function room

TWO consecutive nine-month prison sentences were imposed on a Tullamore man for theft and attempted theft.

James Gonoude (36), with addresses at no fixed abode, O'Molloy Street and Clara Road, Tullamore appeared in custody before Judge Andrew Cody at the local District Court.

Mr Gonoude admitted entering the Bridge Centre on October 10, 2024 and committing theft there and he also pleaded guilty to entering the Bridge House Hotel as a trespasser on August 23 last and attempting to commit theft.

Sergeant Brendan Kearns told the court Mr Gonoude had a total of 41 previous convictions and Judge Cody noted that the offence in the Bridge Centre involved a charity box.

Patrick Martin, defending solicitor, described the offences as “quite desperate” and “quite sad” and said the attempted theft in the Bridge House involved a till in an unoccupied function room.

Imposing the consecutive nine-month sentences, Judge Cody backdated the first one to August 25 and fixed recognisances for an appeal but said there would have to be an independent surety of €3,000 or cash in lieu.

The court had been told during a previous appearance late last year that Mr Gonoude had an addiction problem and was on a methadone programme.

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