A WESTPORT man who burgled his neighbour’s home in the middle of the night and stole cash and five bottles of alcohol said he was ashamed of his actions and has ‘deep-seated issues’ that he needs to deal with.
Kevin Hastings of Rosbeg, Westport, appeared before last week’s sitting of Westport District Court, where he pleaded guilty to committing burglary on March 20, 2016.
The court heard the 22 year-old entered his neighbour’s house at Rosbeg, Westport, in the early hours of the morning. Five bottles of alcohol and approximately €150 were reported missing by the owners of the house.
Garda Darren Conlon explained that the owner of the house heard a noise and her dogs barking during the night, but presumed it was her adult children returning from a night out. She only realised the house had been burgled the following morning when she noticed her dogs had been let out.
Mr Hastings’s fingerprints were found at the scene, but following his arrest, he denied the burglary.
Judge Mary Devins was informed that Mr Hastings has 14 previous convictions. He received seven three-month suspended sentences following an appeal on May 3, 2013, for a number of convictions, including burglary, theft and the unauthorised taking of an MPV.
Judge Devins described the suspended sentences as his ‘get out of jail cards by seven’.
In his evidence, Mr Hastings said he was very ashamed about what he had done, and he claimed that all the crimes he had committed were done while he was highly intoxicated or on ‘heavy drugs’.
‘Deep-seated issues’
He said rehab had not worked for him in the past but that he was now seeing a counsellor to work on ‘deep-seated issues’ that go back to his teenage years. Judge Devins was unimpressed by this, saying that she had been hearing that for years in reference to his previous appearances before her.
He explained that he had worked for a period of time in a nursing home, but had to leave it because he could not comply with Garda vetting requirements.
Mr Hastings also said that a girl he had met since the burglary incident was having a very positive influence on him. While he is currently living in Westport, he told the court he is planning to move to Connemara, near to where his girlfriend lives, and that he is getting a job.
Defending solicitor Mr James Ward told the court that his client’s last conviction was four years ago and asked for the indulgence of the court to adjourn sentencing for six months.
Judge Devins said agreed to adjourn sentencing until May 18 and asked Mr Ward to provide reports from the appropriate professionals.
