A teenage joy rider who is currently serving two years of a four-year sentence imposed on him earlier this month at Galway Circuit Criminal Court, for driving a stolen car dangerously, received a further 12-month sentence at Galway District Court yesterday for burglary related offences.

Jason Holian (19), 27 Slieve Rua, Ballybane, Galway pleaded guilty to burglary at Mocha Beans, Liosban Industrial Estate, Galway, on 21 August 2006. He also pleaded guilty to damaging a front window at the premises and to driving without insurance on the same date.

Holian further pleaded guilty to obstructing Garda Derek Mullen at Monivea Road, Ballybane, on 15 December 2006, and to having a vice grips, nail bar and screw driver, which were intended for use in the commission of a burglary at Clybaun Road, Knocknacarra, a week earlier, on 6 December 2006.

Defence solicitor, Olivia Traynor informed the District Court yesterday that her client had been in custody since last January and had received a four-year sentence with the final two years suspended, with stringent conditions attached, in the Circuit Criminal Court on 4 June last, having pleaded guilty to the theft of a car on 3 January last year and to dangerous driving on the same date.

Inspector Pat McHugh said Holian had denied any involvement in the Mocha Beans robbery but forensic examination of his clothing had linked him to the crime.

Ms Traynor said her client was doing very well while in Castlerea Prison and was hoping to start his Leaving Cert. course in September. She said the Circuit Court judge had imposed stringent conditions on her client and on his release from prison in two years time he is to come under the supervision of the Probation Service for five years.

Judge Mary Fahy noted Holian had come to Garda notice on two other occasions after being involved in the burglary and consecutive sentences would have to be imposed for that reason, she said.

She sentenced him to eight months in prison for the burglary charge and imposed a concurrent, three-month sentence on him for damaging the front window. She sentenced him to a further, consecutive one-month sentence for driving without insurance and disqualified him from driving for 12 months. An additional three-month, consecutive sentence was imposed on the accused for having the vice grips and the other tools in his possession. Leave to appeal the sentences was granted.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment