Jail for serial theft and public order offender

Monaghan man had over 150 previous convictions

A Monaghan man with 152 previous convictions was given consecutive prison sentences totalling eight months when he pleaded guilty at Monaghan District Court to a number of charges relating to theft and public order offences.

Tyrone McCann (26) of Mullaghmatt, Monaghan Town, was already in custody and appeared by video link. He admitted stealing deli food worth €6.50 twice in the one day (€13 in total) from Fleming’s SuperValu, Monaghan Town, on September 4 last. He had been arrested later that day on foot of a bench warrant for failing to appear at Monaghan District Court on September 1.

The court was told by Sergeant Lisa McEntee that on August 13 gone by, gardaí were called to the Gortakeegan Halting Site, Monaghan Town, where McCann was observed bare-chested and shouting at members of the public. He was subsequently arrested under the Public Order Act.

On August 9, the court heard the defendant stole two bottles of Buckfast wine, valued at €16, from McConnon’s Londis, Monaghan. The products were not recovered, and McCann was highly intoxicated when apprehended later on the same date, the sergeant recalled.

On June 21 last, gardaí were called to the Diamond, Monaghan Town, where the defendant was roaring and shouting at people. He was highly intoxicated, unsteady on his feet and had no top on. He was arrested as a result of his behaviour.

Poor record

McCann had 152 previous convictions in total, Sergeant McEntee confirmed, including nine for thefts, 33 for threatening and abusive behaviour and 45 for public intoxication. The most recent was in July of this year when he got a two-month prison sentence for being abusive. He received a three-month term last January for an assault; while in March and February of last year he was given numerous consecutive sentences for a series of mainly-public order related offences.

Solicitor Niall Fox agreed with Judge Raymond Finnegan that his client had a very poor record. He said Mr McCann had a four-year-old son and was back in a relationship with his partner, which might hopefully provide some focus for him. His partner was due to have a baby in March and the court, in passing sentence, was being asked to allow him be present for that event.

Asking that community service be considered, Mr Fox said his instructions were that Tyrone had never been given this option. But when it was confirmed by a Probation Officer that McCann had in fact failed to complete an earlier community service order, Judge Finnegan said there was no point in giving him another one. “That ship has sailed,” the judge remarked.

Mr Fox said his client would openly admit that alcohol did not agree with him. He wasn’t an alcoholic but, when he did drink, it made him extremely aggressive and he would have no recollection. “It turns him into someone he does not like,” Mr Fox submitted.

Agreeing that McCann needed to stop drinking, Judge Finnegan said he also needed to stop stealing and causing a nuisance of himself around the town.

Imposing consecutive two-month prison terms for the threatening behaviour at Gortakeegan, the thefts from McConnon’s Londis and from Fleming’s SuperValu, and the failure to appear at court (eight months in total), he backdated the sentences to when McCann was arrested the previous week. A number of remaining public order charges were marked proven and taken into consideration.

Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal.