A repeat offender who was caught handling stolen tools worth over €6,000 at a Dublin Sunday market has failed to convince a court that he should not be jailed.
Patrick Maughan (38) handled stolen property including a hand drill, electric saw, electric screwdriver, metal pipe cutter, industrial charger, scaffolding, plate compactor and a turf-cutter.
Maughan, with an address at St McCullen’s Park, Balbriggan, Dublin, was convicted in the District Court of handling stolen property at Balbriggan Sunday Market contrary to section 17 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.
Maughan was sentenced to four months imprisonment and later lodged an appeal against the severity of his sentence.
Sergeant Stephen Walsh told the District Court Appeals Court today that on the morning of January 28, 2024 a man attended a Sunday market in Balbriggan.
He said the man reported that he saw a vendor selling items that were stolen. Sgt Walsh said that the tools had a total value of €6,120.
The witness said that Maughan had 46 previous convictions, including those for the possession of stolen property and theft.
Defence counsel for Maughan, Lydia Daly BL, said that her client had pleaded guilty in the District Court and that all items were recovered in good condition.
Judge Sarah Berkeley said that Maughan had been given many opportunities in the past and that he had a history of offending.
She said she thought the defendant “did very well” in the District Court and that she would be “minded to increase” and impose a heavier sentence.
However, Judge Berkeley decided to affirm the order of the District Court and Maughan was taken into custody.