Man with 77 previous convictions stole alcohol and clothing worth €400 from Longford

A 36 year-old man with over 70 previous convictions, who stole alcohol and clothing worth more than €400 from four different retail outlets in Longford, has received a four month prison sentence.

Kamil Bulczak of no fixed abode pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to the theft of clothing and alcohol valued at a total of €423 from Dunnes Stores, Dealz and Aldi on May 25, 2025 and the theft from Lidl in Longford on February 27, 2025.

Sgt Shane Kelleher, court presenter, said Mr Bulczak entered Lidl on the Dublin Road, Longford and he stole two bottles of whiskey valued at €50, he also walked into Dealz and he took goods worth €243, the property of Craig Clyne of Dealz and he stole property worth €50 from Aldi, Athlone Rd, Longford.

The defendant also went into Dunnes Stores and he stole property and alcohol valued at €80.50.

Sgt Shane Kelleher said Gardaí received reports of theft from the four retailers on both dates and they attended the stores, viewed and obtained CCTV footage and took statements from the managers and staff.

The prosecuting officer stated Mr Bulczak made no attempt to pay for the items, goods and alcohol in Lidl, Aldi, Dunnes Stores or Dealz and he walked past all points of payment in the four stores.

The court heard the defendant, who is currently in prison as a result of being prosecuted for other offences, is due to be released in January, 2026.

Mr Bulczak had a total of 77 previous convictions and eight previous convictions for theft.

Solicitor Bríd Mimnagh said her client was a young child when he came to Ireland and he had a difficult time in recent years and he had to endure periods where he was homeless.

"He had an apartment from the Simon community and he was upset by the loss of this apartment.

"Because he is homeless he is saying the only place he can live is in prison. It's no life."

Judge Bernadette Owens said she would give Mr Bulczak some credit for his guilty plea and she noted his difficult circumstances.

Judge Owens convicted him and she imposed a four month jail sentence to run concurrently to the sentence he is currently serving.

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