Longford man who assaulted garda and damaged cars jailed for 12 months

A defendant who pleaded guilty to a series of offences that took place over a year was sentenced to 12 months in prison at Longford District Court.

Eugene Dunne (39), of 8 Alderfield, Farnagh, Longford, faced a total of 23 charges when he appeared before last week's court sitting.

Judge Vincent Deane heard details of the charges against the defendant. In September 2023 he damage the rear windscreen of Nissan Juke belonging to another person which cost €150 to repair, in April 24, at Kellehers Spar, Main St, Longford, he stole Bank of Ireland cheque book valued at €20.

In March '24 at Alder Field, Farnagh, Longford, he stole 20 Xanax tablets, in November 2022, at Hibernian Court Carpark he stole a Stihl concrete cutting saw valued at €900.

In October 2023, on Main Street Longford, he was intoxicated in a public place, at Ballymahon Street, Longford.

Further charges include the theft of a brown leather wallet valued at €40 and entering Herterich Butchers, Ballymahon Street, Longford as a trespasser and committing an offence.

In August 23 he caused €200 worth of damage to a MPV in Mollaghans Carpark Longford, in June 2023 at Hanlon's Gala, Dublin Rd, Longford stole property to the value of €50 , also in June he handled stolen property, a keg of Heineken and wheelie bin valued at €400, knowing the property was stolen.

In September '23 at Mollaghans Carpark he damaged a vehicle causing damage valued at €100 and on the same date he damaged another car causing €100 damage.

In August of the same year at Market Square, Longford he caused €2,731.88 worth of damage to a car. On another date in August he stole €500 in cash and a mobile phone valued at €350.

Other offences in August 23 include property damage valued of €200 to a car, and damage to items if clothing costing a total of €65.

Offences from April of 2023 including handling stolen property, various items of camping equipment costing €200, at Century Square, Longford. In December of 2023 he damaged the rear driver side window of a car and took €2 coins.

In March of this year at Longford Garda Station, he was intoxicated in public and also assaulted Garda Glen Flanagan.
The court heard that additional charges before the court was that Mr Dunne attempted to carry out an unauthorised transaction on a Revolut card on January 14.

The card had been reported stolen the previous day and the injured party was notified that a €7 transaction had been declined at a local public house. The final offence was from April 24 when the defendant punched a Garda while being put in a patrol car.

Solicitor John Quinn said that his client has had addictions issues and since going into custody in Cloverhill he has endeavoured to deal with these problems. Mr Quinn said the defendant is engaging in education and drug treatment programmes.

“He wants to better himself and put this part of his life behind him,” the solicitor said, “Eugene knows he has caused problems for others and himself. He is intent on going straight. He is focusing on leaving all this as history.”

Inspector Mark Mahon informed the judge the defendant had 41 previous convictions.

In concluding matter Judge Deane imposed a custodial sentence of four months for the assault on a Garda, four months for theft offences relating to the Stihl concrete cutter and a third four month for a property theft charge in Mollaghan's car park. All sentences run consecutively, meaning the defendant will serve 12 months in prison.

The judge recommended that the sentence imposed be served in Cloverhill to allow Mr Dunne continue to engage with treatment programmes.