Heroin addict admitted theft offences

A 29-year-old man who had a heroin addiction was given concurrent six-month sentences at a sitting of Cavan District Court when he pleaded guilty to stealing electronic items and one sum of cash in different shops in Monaghan on four different dates. Jamie Boland, 21 Hillstreet, Milford, Co. Armagh, appeared before Judge Sean MacBride charged with stealing a laptop worth €1,200 from Fleming's Supervalu in Monaghan on April 17 2004; stealing an xbox game worth €45 and a digital television worth €219 from Tesco in Monaghan Shopping Centre on February 3 this year; stealing an Xbox 360 worth €179 from the same Tesco outlet on November 28, 2009; and stealing €30 cash at the Two Euro shop in Monaghan Shopping Centre on June 1, 2008. The court heard how a garda had questioned the defendant when he saw him with a television and Mr. Boland then admitted all the offences. The television and one Xbox game were recovered but other items stolen on previous occasions were not. The court heard that the resident in Co. Armagh was a heroin addict and had used drugs since the age of twelve. He had no previous convictions in this jurisdiction. For the defendant, solicitor Damien Rudden pointed out that his client had "made full admissions" and is now seeking treatment for his addiction. Handing down the concurrent sentences to Castlerea Prison, Judge MacBride made recommendations regarding detox and drug addiction treatment. "It's a tragedy that you mixed with the wrong company and dabbled in drugs," said the judge to the defendant. He directed that the prison authorities liaise with the probation and welfare service in Northern Ireland regarding addiction after-care on the defendant's release.