Serial Longford thief with ‘poor record’ to appeal prison sentence

A serial Longford thief with over 100 previous convictions, who stole clothing, groceries and a money box safe from a local restaurant with a cumulative value of over €1,500, has been handed a 14 month custodial sentence.

Charles Reilly of 8 River Court, Great Water Street pleaded guilty to six counts of theft between February and May of this year.
Sergeant Enda Daly, court presenter, said the defendant stole groceries valued at €100 from Lidl, Dublin Road in Longford town on February 28, 2025.

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The court presenter said Mr Reilly put the goods into a carrier bag and he passed all points of payment and he made no attempt to pay and the groceries were not recovered.

Gardaí attended the scene and Mr Reilly was arrested and subsequently charged.

Sgt Daly said Mr Reilly was in Spice India restaurant on March 4 last when he approached the counter as if he was intending to order food.

"There was no staff behind the counter at the time, he then looked around before reaching behind the counter and taking a black money box which contained roughly €900 and he exited the premises.

"CCTV was viewed and the suspect was identified and he was later arrested and the money was not recovered."

Sgt Daly said Gardaí responded to a reported theft from Durkin's store in Longford after the defendant entered the store at 2pm and he removed €300 worth of clothing items without making any attempt to pay for them.

The court heard the property was not recovered and Mr Reilly was subsequently identified from CCTV footage.

Sgt Daly said on the same date, Gardaí received a report of a theft from Dealz on Market Square when a person in the shop said he spoke to the defendant, who he recognised, and moments later he noticed there were a 'number of items in a reusable shopping bag'.

The defendant left the store without making any attempt to pay for this clothing valued at €49 and no property was recovered.The prosecuting officer stated Mr Reilly entered Dunnes Stores on the Dublin Road on May 29 last and selected a number of bedding items valued at €186 before placing them in his bag.

Mr Reilly then removed his jacket and put his bag with the jacket and he left the store without attempting to pay for the items.

"He was identified from CCTV footage."

Mr Reilly had 108 previous convictions.

Solicitor John Quinn, defending, accepted his client had a 'poor record' but he handed in a letter, which he said outlined his background and the treatment Mr Reilly is intending to undergo to tackle his addiction problems.

"Since he has been in custody since June 3rd he has been endeavouring to go on a course to get over these addictive problems because all of the offences relate to his addiction to drugs and alcohol getting him into bother," the legal representative added.

Judge Bernadette Owens noted Mr Reilly was on bail in terms of the more recent offences and she referred to his “significant number of relevant previous convictions.

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She imposed a 19 month prison sentence, backdated from June 3, with the final five months suspended for 18 months, subject to the supervision of the Probation Services.

However, Mr Reilly was able to walk away from court after a relative lodged €250 and put herself forward as an independent surety ahead of the defendant's Circuit Criminal Court appeal later this year.