A 51-year-old Navan man was before the court in Trim on a number of theft charges has been given a jail term. Joseph Hand, Leighsbrook Lodge, Navan was charged with 15 alleged offences dating from 2023 to 2025. Court Presenter Sergeant Peter Clarke said the offences included theft of goods worth €68 from Centra, Commons Road, Navan; goods worth €85.40 from Aldi, Blanchardstown; criminal damage at the same premises; criminal damage worth €1,200 to cars at Newgrange Hotel car park; thefts of several consignments of coal worth €120, €80 , €80 from Applegreen, Navan; goods worth €31.60 from Centra; goods worth €309 from TK Maxx; goods worth €544 from same premises; goods worth €17.64 from Londis, Abbeylands; goods worth €63 from Londis; watches and beauty products worth €136 from TK Maxx. Sergeant Clarke said that defendant had 83 previous convictions.
Defending barrister Molly Boggan said that her client was one of 13 children with a very traumatic history. He had started drinking at 13 years old and had been involved in drug taking. He had three children. He was now anxious to use his time productively. Judge McKiernan said she had taken into account his plea of guilty and his personal circumstances. She sentenced him to two terms of four months imprisonment (total eight months), in addition to a further four months with the last two months suspended. The sentences were to date from 7th May last.
