A HOMELESS MAN who has resided in a self-constructed dog box in county Kildare has been sentenced to nine months in prison for the ‘daftest crime’, Naas District Court heard this week.

Father-of-two Adam Farrell, of no fixed abode, was charged with thefts at a Lidl, Athy, and Carry Out off licence, Athy, on 18 April 2016.

Athy based Garda Dave McGrath outlined to the court how the 34-year-old was observed taking three knives at Lidl, Athy.

McGrath said: “He put one in his pocket and left the store without paying.”

The garda said that about 20 minutes later, Farrell entered the Carry-Out off licence with a balaclava over his head and announced, “This is a robbery. Give me cash.”

Evidence was given in court this week that, at first, the staff member thought that Farrell was joking. However, once she realised that he was not, €605 was handed over.

At this point, Farrell is understood to have said, “I will leave something for you outside.”

Then, €120 in cash was found in a bin outside and evidence was given that Farrell took a train from Athy.

The court heard how five days later, Farrell admitted to committing a crime at a different location. Garda McGrath said that at the time of the confession, Farrell was “confused or intoxicated”.

The garda added that before entering the Carry Out in Athy, Farrell had waited outside for a minute “staring at the staff member”.

According to McGrath, it seemed that Farrell was “trying to build up confidence”.

Judge Desmond Zaidan said:

He left some change, this is the daftest crime I have seen since I have been on the bench.

Defence solicitor Matthew Byrne outlined how Farrell became homeless in January 2016.

The court heard how Farrell appealed for accommodation through social media outlets and contacted local TDs

Last week, he was sentenced to nine months in prison for an attempted robbery at an off-licence in Newbridge on 17 July 2016.

The court heard how, while wearing a hoodie, he ordered the shop assistant to hand over cash but fled, without money, when another female staff member confronted him.

Defence told the court how Farrell had been renting a property with his girlfriend but after she suffered a miscarriage, he fell into a spiral of drinking heavily.

Byrne outlined how Farrell did not get social welfare as he had no address.

He said: “He is one of these poor people who has had little assistance from the state.”

Farrell told the court how it took him three days to build the dog box from plywood, with wheels, at a cost of €250.

Judge Zaidan, praising him for his talented carpentry work, asked: “Why don’t you put this on the market?”

He sentenced him to nine months in prison backdated to 18 July since he has been in custody.

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