Thief stole portable hard drive from Tesco

A Castlebar man with eleven previous convictions for theft was caught on closed circuit television stealing a Toshiba portable hard drive from Tesco in Westport.
Martin McDonagh (25) of 95, Springfield Court, Castlebar pleaded guilty to the charge before last Thursday’s sitting of Westport District Court, sitting in Castlebar.
The court was told McDonagh stole the computer device, valued at €64.99, from Tesco, Westport at 4pm on November 1, 2015. The property was not recovered.
Defending solicitor Gary Mulchrone told the court his client ‘admits the stupidity of his actions’. He said McDonagh has not been in trouble since and had engaged well with the Probation Services in the past, completing health and fitness programmes.
“He wants to be a more gainful member of society,” said Mr Mulchrone.
Judge Deirdre Gearty warned McDonagh ‘don’t go back where you were’. She convicted him, ordered that he pay the cost of the device and fined him an additional €50. Legal aid was granted to Mr Mulchrone.