‘It's ridiculous. You need to sort it out' – Grandad who stole alcohol using wire cutter to pay drug debt is spared jail
Brian Early, of St Joseph's Avenue, Newbridge, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty at Dún Laoghaire District Court to theft, possession of stolen property and possession of certain articles in relation to two incidents in February last year.
The court heard that on February 12, 2024, Early stole 17 bottles of alcohol worth €660 from Dunnes Stores in Cornelscourt, Dublin 18.
Detective Sergeant Wendy Byrne told the court that Early had removed the security tags from the bottles using wire cutters. He had made a small payment for a packet of toilet rolls to give the impression of a legitimate purchase.
She said the theft was premeditated and that two bottles of Bombay Sapphire gin, worth €50 to €60 each, were recovered. When asked by Judge Conor Fottrell if all of the stolen goods had been retrieved, Sgt Byrne said not all were recovered, but the total value taken was approximately €700.
Silvia-Maria Crowley BL, counsel for the defence, said Early, a father and grandfather, had developed a serious addiction to crack cocaine in recent years. After a five-year battle with cancer and the death of his father, his life became 'chaotic,' the court was told.
She said her client stole the alcohol to repay a drug debt, but has since gone cold turkey and remained clean for the past 10 months. The court heard he did not attend a formal drug programme but had sought support from Pieta House after a previous mental health crisis.
Ms Crowley said that her client receives a disability allowance and had entered guilty pleas at an early stage. He is no longer in counselling but is making efforts to rebuild his life, the court heard.
Judge Fottrell noted the court was told the offences arose out of a drug debt. "That may well be the case - but it's ridiculous. You need to sort it out,' he told the defendant.
'These are serious matters - stealing alcohol in order to pay off a drug debt is not acceptable. But I accept you've taken steps to address your situation,' he added.
Taking into account the guilty plea, Early's personal circumstances and his engagement with support services, Judge Fottrell imposed a 12-month probation bond on condition that Early keeps the peace and engages in good behaviour.
'I suggest you continue to engage with Pieta House and any further counselling available to you,' the judge said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
3 hours ago
- Sunday World
Grandad who stole alcohol using wire cutter to pay drug debt is spared jail
'These are serious matters - stealing alcohol in order to pay off a drug debt is not acceptable' A 54-year-old man who stole 17 bottles of spirits to repay a drug debt has been given a probation bond. Brian Early, of St Joseph's Avenue, Newbridge, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty at Dún Laoghaire District Court to theft, possession of stolen property and possession of certain articles in relation to two incidents in February last year. The court heard that on February 12, 2024, Early stole 17 bottles of alcohol worth €660 from Dunnes Stores in Cornelscourt, Dublin 18. Detective Sergeant Wendy Byrne told the court that Early had removed the security tags from the bottles using wire cutters. He had made a small payment for a packet of toilet rolls to give the impression of a legitimate purchase. Photo: Getty. Today's News in 90 Seconds - 08 July 2025 She said the theft was premeditated and that two bottles of Bombay Sapphire gin, worth €50 to €60 each, were recovered. When asked by Judge Conor Fottrell if all of the stolen goods had been retrieved, Sgt Byrne said not all were recovered, but the total value taken was approximately €700. Silvia-Maria Crowley BL, counsel for the defence, said Early, a father and grandfather, had developed a serious addiction to crack cocaine in recent years. After a five-year battle with cancer and the death of his father, his life became 'chaotic,' the court was told. She said her client stole the alcohol to repay a drug debt, but has since gone cold turkey and remained clean for the past 10 months. The court heard he did not attend a formal drug programme but had sought support from Pieta House after a previous mental health crisis. Ms Crowley said that her client receives a disability allowance and had entered guilty pleas at an early stage. He is no longer in counselling but is making efforts to rebuild his life, the court heard. Judge Fottrell noted the court was told the offences arose out of a drug debt. "That may well be the case - but it's ridiculous. You need to sort it out,' he told the defendant. 'These are serious matters - stealing alcohol in order to pay off a drug debt is not acceptable. But I accept you've taken steps to address your situation,' he added. Taking into account the guilty plea, Early's personal circumstances and his engagement with support services, Judge Fottrell imposed a 12-month probation bond on condition that Early keeps the peace and engages in good behaviour. 'I suggest you continue to engage with Pieta House and any further counselling available to you,' the judge said. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
Sunday World
8 hours ago
- Sunday World
Judge tells man whose partner died after festival drug use it is ‘one of the saddest cases'
The court heard that Mr Carroll and his girlfriend had attended the Forbidden Fruit festival on June 2, 2024, where they both consumed drugs A 24-year-old man whose partner died after they both took drugs following a music festival has avoided a conviction for simple possession, in what a judge described as "one of the saddest cases" to come before his court. The District Court was told that the defendant Brian Carroll has now made a commitment to living a "drug-free life". Mr Carroll, of Cedarmount Road, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin pleaded guilty to possession of MDMA and cannabis and appeared before Judge Conor Fottrell at Dún Laoghaire District Court on Wednesday. Stock image News in 90 Seconds - 7th June The court heard that Mr Carroll and his girlfriend had attended the Forbidden Fruit festival on June 2, 2024, where they both consumed drugs, while further substances were taken later at a house in south Dublin. The woman was found unresponsive later that night and died as a result. Mr Carroll had been in a relationship with the deceased for two and a half years. Gardaí who carried out a search of the house recovered cannabis worth €44, €16 of MDMA and a small quantity of cocaine. Garda Harry Poole told the court that the drugs were for personal use and were at the lower end of the scale. The court heard that Mr Carroll later voluntarily attended a garda station, gave a full account of what occurred and has not come to garda attention since. Judge Fottrell initially questioned whether the District Court had jurisdiction to hear the case, given the serious background circumstances. 'I appreciate the plea before the court today, but this is a serious matter,' he said. 'I'm not sure it's a District Court matter.' Defence solicitor Mark O'Sullivan said it was a tragic accident and argued that the case before the court concerned a minor possession matter. 'That's all the court is being asked to hear today,' he said. After considering the details, Judge Fottrell accepted jurisdiction. 'On the basis of what's before me, the circumstances are tragic. I'll accept jurisdiction.' Mr O'Sullivan told the court that Mr Carroll and the deceased had bought the drugs together, but the woman had taken more than his client. He said his client was fully cooperative, had no previous convictions, and had voluntarily presented himself to Gardaí. Letters were handed into court from Kilmacud Medical Centre and the Community Addiction Response Programme. The court heard Mr Carroll had engaged in trauma counselling following the incident, tested negative for drugs in recent months and remained in full-time employment. He had also volunteered with Little Flower Penny Dinners during the Covid-19 pandemic. The woman's father and sister were present in court. 'On behalf of my client, I extend our sympathies to the family,' Mr O'Sullivan said. 'Relations remain good between them. This was an absolute tragedy.' In a personal letter to the court, the man expressed remorse and a commitment to living a drug-free life. Judge Fottrell acknowledged the man's remorse, the steps he had taken since and the tragic nature of the case. 'This is a tragic case,' he said. 'The consequences were anything but minor. However, the value of the drugs involved is low, and there are no previous convictions". 'You've pleaded guilty, made full admissions, and taken meaningful steps since. I don't propose to impose a conviction. "This is one of the most unusual and saddest cases to come before the court. I hope you continue your recovery," the judge said, addressing the defendant. Judge Fottrell concluded the matter without a conviction, following a €1,000 charitable donation. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
Irish Independent
8 hours ago
- Irish Independent
‘It's ridiculous. You need to sort it out' – Grandad who stole alcohol using wire cutter to pay drug debt is spared jail
Brian Early, of St Joseph's Avenue, Newbridge, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty at Dún Laoghaire District Court to theft, possession of stolen property and possession of certain articles in relation to two incidents in February last year. The court heard that on February 12, 2024, Early stole 17 bottles of alcohol worth €660 from Dunnes Stores in Cornelscourt, Dublin 18. Detective Sergeant Wendy Byrne told the court that Early had removed the security tags from the bottles using wire cutters. He had made a small payment for a packet of toilet rolls to give the impression of a legitimate purchase. She said the theft was premeditated and that two bottles of Bombay Sapphire gin, worth €50 to €60 each, were recovered. When asked by Judge Conor Fottrell if all of the stolen goods had been retrieved, Sgt Byrne said not all were recovered, but the total value taken was approximately €700. Silvia-Maria Crowley BL, counsel for the defence, said Early, a father and grandfather, had developed a serious addiction to crack cocaine in recent years. After a five-year battle with cancer and the death of his father, his life became 'chaotic,' the court was told. She said her client stole the alcohol to repay a drug debt, but has since gone cold turkey and remained clean for the past 10 months. The court heard he did not attend a formal drug programme but had sought support from Pieta House after a previous mental health crisis. Ms Crowley said that her client receives a disability allowance and had entered guilty pleas at an early stage. He is no longer in counselling but is making efforts to rebuild his life, the court heard. Judge Fottrell noted the court was told the offences arose out of a drug debt. "That may well be the case - but it's ridiculous. You need to sort it out,' he told the defendant. 'These are serious matters - stealing alcohol in order to pay off a drug debt is not acceptable. But I accept you've taken steps to address your situation,' he added. Taking into account the guilty plea, Early's personal circumstances and his engagement with support services, Judge Fottrell imposed a 12-month probation bond on condition that Early keeps the peace and engages in good behaviour. 'I suggest you continue to engage with Pieta House and any further counselling available to you,' the judge said.
