Longford man who stole wallet from a passenger on train receives concurrent sentence

Longford man who stole a wallet from a passenger on a train and used it five times has been sentenced to five months in prison, however, he will not serve any additional jail time.

Michael Purcell of 78 MacEoin Park, Farnagh, Longford pleaded guilty at the local district court to five counts of theft on April 18, 2024.

Sergeant Enda Daly said a complainant attended Longford Garda Station on April 18, 2024 at 6.40pm to report that while on the train from Maynooth to Sligo his wallet containing his bank card was stolen from his backpack.

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"The debit card was used in Duffy's SuperValu in Edgeworthstown on four separate occasions," he added.

Sgt Daly told Judge Bernadette Owens the card was tapped at 7.39pm twice for goods valued at €24.15 and €15 respectively and at 7.40pm for €7.75 and at 7.42pm for €3.60.

"CCTV footage was obtained from SuperValu and the defendant was positively identified and he was subsequently arrested and he made full admissions regarding the thefts, he added.

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Sgt Daly the debit card was also used without authorisation by Mr Purcell to purchase a train ticket for €20.

The total amount stolen was over €70.

Mr Purcell had 14 previous convictions.

Solicitor Bríd Mimnagh said her client, who is currently in prison for separate offences, has been in custody since July 2024 and he is due to be released next November.

Ms Mimnagh addressed Judge Owens and said her client wants to turn his life around and she is confident he will not reoffend and be returning to court.

Judge Owens said the events may sound 'innocuous' to some but they were not.

"It's not innocuous at all, there was a young man travelling on the train who had left his backpack and his wallet out so he was left bereft on the date in question," she added.

Judge Owens noted the plea and that the defendant appeared to be behaving himself and doing well while in custody.

She sentenced Mr Purcell to five months in prison, which is to run concurrently to the current sentence he is serving.

That means he will not serve any extra time in jail for the theft offences.

Ms Mimnagh also applied for legal aid, which was granted.