Ballinrobe man is jailed for series of thefts from local stores
The defendant pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court.
A Ballinrobe man with a long list of previous convictions has received a six-month prison sentence for carrying out a series of thefts in the South Mayo town.
Martin Conroy, aged 27, of 2 Bog Road, Knockanotish, Ballinrobe, pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court to a series of shoplifting offences over a one-week period last December. He also admitted to stealing a purse earlier this year.
The court heard that Conroy picked up a packet of eight cans of Bulmers cider, valued at €15, in Tesco, Ballinrobe on December 14, 2023, and left the store without paying for the goods. The defendant also admitted stealing 20 bottles of cider, valued at €22, from the same supermarket on December 16, 2023.
On the same date, Conroy took eight cans of Bulmers from Aldi in Ballinrobe and left the store without paying. He was subsequently identified on CCTV. The defendant also admitted the theft of 20 bottles of Heineken beer, valued at €22, on December 22, 2023.
The court heard that Conroy stole a woman’s purse from Rosie’s Takeaway in Ballinrobe on February 22, 2024, after it had been placed on the counter. He had been observed loitering around the takeaway prior to the theft.
None of the stolen items or the purse were recovered by Gardaí.
Conroy, who is currently an inmate at Castlerea Prison, has over 100 previous convictions.
Barrister Christina Bourke said her client has had a chaotic life and was, up to recently, plagued by a severe addiction to alcohol and drugs.
“He became drug-free in prison and one motivating factor was his son’s birth,” she added.
However, Judge Fiona Lydon heard Conroy has no work history and several warning letters were issued by the Probation Service over missed appointments.
Judge Lydon requested a victim impact statement from the owner of the stolen purse. She imposed a six-month prison term for the thefts from the various stores in Ballinrobe.
