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A MAN WHO is already serving a two-year sentence for burglary should not spend any more time in prison for stealing from office buildings when he was homeless and “desperate”, a judge has ruled.
James McGinley (38) of Westpark Drive, Finglas pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court yesterday to four counts of breaking into office buildings between 30 January and 17 July 2014. He also pleaded guilty to criminal damage in relation to three desks he damaged during one burglary.
He is currently in prison for two similar burglaries he carried out in 2014 and is due to be released in April 2017, the court heard.
Garda Shane Behan told the court McGinley broke into four office buildings at Fitzwilliam Square and Windsor Place in Dublin 2 – either late at night or in the early hours of the morning when the buildings were empty.
In total, he stole petty cash of around €1,100, 15 laptops, an iPad and personal belongings from the four offices.
McGinley was identified from CCTV footage and his fingerprints were found at one scene.
Drug abuse
Defence counsel, Anne-Marie Lawlor, BL, said McGinley was abusing drugs at the time, had suffered a longterm relationship breakdown, was homeless and “desperate”.
“He presents as someone who is completely different when he’s not under the effect of intoxicants,” Ms Lawlor said.
Ms Lawlor told the court McGinley was stabbed during one of the thefts for which he is already in prison. She asked Judge John Aylmer to consider imposing a sentence that would ensure he would still be released in April next year.
The court heard McGinley has made great progress over the last year in prison and has successfully weaned himself off methadone.
“That is testament to the extent to which he is serious about his rehabilitation,” Ms Lawlor said.
Judge Aylmer agreed, noting that while McGinley had 57 previous convictions, they were mostly carried out during a “unique period of his life”.
“These were circumstances where he had an unfortunate relationship breakdown, became effectively homeless and suffered severe financial difficulties,” the judge said.
He is a person who would otherwise be relatively law-abiding.
Judge Aylmer said he was satisfied McGinley had made significant progress in treating his addiction.
He imposed a sentence of two years on each count, but ordered they run concurrently and backdated them so McGinley will still be eligible for release in April next year.
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Sugar free Methadone.Much healthier stuff altogether….
The judge should be personally liable for any crimes this reformed gentleman commits for the first two years after release.
@Chris
Normally I’d agree but in this particular case I rather have an office burglar roaming the streets than all these violent thugs with an even higher amount of previous convictions!
Matt… he was caught for office burglaries. How many countless others did he do and get away with. Ridiculous trying to lament the crime
He’s rehabilitated what is with the vengeance on this forum.
Their rabid punishment fetishists James, and they haven’t a pair of brain cells between them.
In fairness, it’s probably harder to kick a drug habit in jail than it is outside.
I would’ve thought it would be easier ..
Really Suzie why? I’m unsure of this case but if this man has kicked drugs & crime he should be rewarded but obviously with restrictions. Drugs are far easier to come by in prison.
Mjhint , I know drugs are easier to get in prison but is there not more more support given to them ?
Thats because youre an ignorant thick phucking clown Suzie.
Nope, there wouldn’t be much at all. There’s very few detox beds for a start.
Stay classy there freebetcitydcom
Drug dependence is a manifestation of a community lacking in social capital
Hardline punishment tactics do not fix crime or drug use
Education and social systems are the best methodologies for increasing the social capital within communities
So you want less crime in Ireland? Understandable, but how do you repair the crime problem, the gangs, the organised crime, and the assault on our society?
Crime is as old as prostitution, we will more than likely never have a completely crime free society although we can minimise crime, we can fix the biggest incubator of crime.
The drugs, crimes viral product, and it is the crime networks bread and butter. If you remove the product, you remove the cash flow from organised crime networks.
The war on drugs has not and will not work. Ambassadors for better solutions to drug problems like Richard Branson also agree that the war on drugs is a failed initiative.
http://www.tworoundcorners.com/ireland-how-to-fix-crime-and-drug-abuse/
For gods sake
Sugar free methadone? Obviously the Aldi aspartame mix. I’m sure someone here will explain the logic of it rather than just making sure users don’t get obese. Good on the guy for weaning himself off the methadone and sorting things out anyway.
Look at somebody in methodones teeth and you’ll realise why sugar free is better
Fair comment. Maybe they should get a dose of fluoride in it too.
And peppermint oil to make it minty fresh.
“Relatively law abiding…..” I must admit that’s a new one!
Mmmmh…I thought relatively law abiding was having no convictions or maybe a parking/speeding ticket.
Just glad the Judge put us straight on ‘Relatively law abiding’ meaning having 57 previous convictions…..makes me an absolute saint!
It’s like being a “little bit pregnant”. I’m 38 in a few weeks and don’t even have a parking ticket to my name and it’s not like I’m a living saint. How far out of their way do they go to rack up over a hundred convictions. It must be exhausting to the point where it would be easier to just get a job.
And the victims? Had my laptop stolen on baggot street. Restotution should be paid to his victims
By who?
So what’s happening next April that he needs to out by then ?
If prison wasp good for him, maybe he should spend a while longer inside
The barristers get legal advice from the person up before the judge! True story.
Day one of release . Do you want some drugs . ….. yes please . Day two . Need more drugs but no money . Let’s rob an office . Circle of life .
Ah let him off he was homeless which apparently post Corry means some kind of saint
I cried when I read this story, hope he gets a free council hse and enough dole money so he never has to Rob again and become a relatively good citizen
Methadone has turned into Sentenceadone now?
have your say