A Galway man who hijacked a car and struck a man with a knife during a violent burglary in Simon Community housing will be sentenced early next year.
Galway Circuit Criminal Court heard that Jim McCarthy (27), formerly of Carrowmanagh, Oughterard, Co Galway, pleaded guilty to one count of hijacking a vehicle on Foster Street, Galway, on April 10, 2024.
He further pleaded guilty to burglary, assault and possession of an article at St Lawarnce Park, Loughrea, Co Galway on January 23, 2024.
He has 11 previous convictions, which are all from the District Court.
Garda Simon Tierney told Geri Silke BL, prosecuting, that at 10.30pm on April 10, 2024, a man parked his car on Foster Street in Galway City. He left the car running with the keys in the ignition with his female friend waiting inside while he went to collect a takeaway.
The court heard that McCarthy approached the car, opened the door, and instructed the woman to get out. The young woman tried to grab the car keys, but she was again told to get out of the car before McCarthy produced a knife from his pocket. The woman fled and McCarthy drove the car off at high speed.
Gda Tierney told the court that gardai received a call from a friend of McCarthy who lived in Kinvara. She told the gardai that McCarthy had left a car parked at her home, and she believed it was stolen. Gardai called to her home and found a car matching the description of the stolen car. DNA swabs were taken and tested, and the results confirmed a match to McCarthy.
The court heard that no damage was caused to the car and it was later returned to the owner. The two injured parties declined to make a victim impact statement. The injured parties also declined to engage in a restorative justice programme with McCarthy.
Gda Tierney agreed with Brendan Browne BL, defending, that his client’s movements on the night in question were opportunistic and that at the time, McCarthy had addiction issues.
The garda agreed with counsel that McCarthy has taken significant steps to turn his life around and to deal with his addiction issues and has engaged with the Probation Service.
Detective Garda Edwin Brennan told prosecuting counsel of a separate incident where McCarthy and a co-accused entered a house in Loughrea, which was under the care of the Simon Community.
The two men entered the bedroom of a resident who was known to them at 1:40 am and shouted at the man to get up. McCarthy was armed with a 10-inch kitchen knife.
The court heard that the man got up and, while he was getting dressed, was kicked by both men. McCarthy then held a knife to the injured party’s body and struck him on the back of the head with the knife, leaving a wound requiring seven staples.
Both men fled the scene and took €140 in cash from the injured party. McCarthy was identified and arrested.
His house was searched and items were seized. McCarthy made no admissions during the interview but came forward on signed pleas from the District Court. There was no victim impact statement before the court.
Det Gda Brennan agreed with defence counsel that McCarthy’s previous convictions are against a backdrop of addiction issues.
He also agreed that his client is someone who, in the space of two years, has embraced rehabilitation in a great way, noting he has taken matters on board and has taken steps to reunite with his estranged family.
Mr Browne said his client has completed a 12-week course at Cluine Mhuire and is in employment.
Judge Brian O’Callaghan adjourned the case for an updated probation report in January 2027.