Longford defendant has case adjourned for probation report

A man prosecuted for trespass when homeless will have an opportunity to engage with probation services before Judge Bernadette Owens concludes his case. Kamil Bulczak (33) of Apartment 4, Take Two Apartments, Earl Street, Longford was accused of two offences.

The defendant is charged with entering a property on Park Road, Longford on October 19, 2022 as a trespasser and of the theft of alcohol valued at €91.12 from Aldi, Longford on October 15, 2022.
Inspector Frank Finn outlined details of the incident that brought Mr Bulczak before the court.

Inspector Finn said that on October 15 at 7pm the defendant entered the Aldi supermarket and placed beer, wines, and spirits into a bag and passed all points of purchase without paying.

Mr Bulczak was stopped by security and all the items were recovered and in a resalable condition.
Four days later he was arrested for the alcohol theft in the Park Road area and his belongings were found in an unoccupied house. He told officers he was homeless and using the vacant house as a residence without the permission of the owner. Inspector Finn said there was no damage to the property.

The inspector told Judge Bernadette Owens the defendant has 44 previous convictions, including public order, assault, obstruction of a Garda, criminal damage, theft and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour.

Solicitor Diarmuid Quinn stated his client was entering a plea of guilty to both charges. Mr Quinn said the defendant has worked to address his homelessness and suffers from mental health difficulties, including schizophrenia, panic attacks, and depression.

The solicitor said Mr Bulczak is seeking help and has a psychologist appointment. Mr Quinn said the trespass charge arose at a time his client was living rough and took shelter in an unoccupied house. In respect of the theft charge the legal representative said the defendant was drunk at the time and “barely remembers” any detail of the offence.

“He accepts his wrongdoing,” Mr Quinn stated, “he has addressed many of the factors that led to these offences. He is now living in accommodation in Earl Street and things have stabilised.”

Mr Quinn suggested that to assist the court, a probation report and engagement with the probation services could provide Mr Bulczak with a structure to the supports he can avail of. Judge Owens adjourned the matter and remanded the defendant on continuing bail to return before the court on May 9, 2023 to allow the preparation of a probation report.