Man in court for 'heedless and senseless' behaviour
The defendant pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court.
A man with a history of criminal convictions appeared before Castlebar District Court in connection with theft and public order offences.
Jordon Dowding, of Frenchill, Castlebar, pleaded guilty to the charges.
The court heard that on September 24, 2025, Dowding entered Dunnes Stores in Castlebar and stole a pair of white socks and flip-flops with a total value of €9.
Later that day, Gda Mark Walkin was on patrol in the Mountain View area when he came across Dowding, whom he knew to be in breach of his bail conditions, which required him to stay out of Castlebar unless attending appointments. Dowding was wearing the stolen items.
The court also heard details of a separate public order incident on December 10, 2025, at Castlebar Garda Station.
Gda Sgt Farrell said Dowding was signing on at the station as part of his bail conditions when he allegedly became abusive towards a garda after he engaged in a conversation with Dowding.
It was stated that the defendant used abusive language towards the garda and repeatedly headbutted a glass partition in the station. He was arrested and initially resisted before being placed in a cell.
The court heard that Dowding has four previous convictions dating from 2022 and 2023, which were dealt with in November 2024.
Solicitor Gary Mulchrone said the court was familiar with his client, who has a diagnosis of autism and has struggled to access appropriate disability supports. He is now in his 30s, lives at home and struggles to regulate his behaviour during periods of difficulty, leading to incidents that cause alarm to others and bring him to the attention of gardaí. Mr Mulchrone described the behaviour as “heedless and senseless” and said Dowding was now open to engaging with the Probation Service.
Judge Sandra Murphy said she had seen Dowding coming in and out of court and noted that his difficulties were drawing him into criminal behaviour. She adjourned the matter for sentencing to April 15 next to allow for the preparation of a probation report.
Dowding was remanded on continuing bail, with one condition amended to remove the requirement to sign on at the garda station, as he is to stay out of Castlebar.
- Published in conjunction with the Courts Reporting Scheme.
