A repeat offender who stole over a thousand euro worth of alcohol and groceries from the same Dublin shop has withdrawn an appeal against the severity of his 15-month jail term, after a judge called his offending “prolific”.
Owen Maughan (40) stole from several shops, returning to one Dublin Aldi seven times, where he took €1,498 worth of alcohol, groceries and meat products.
Maughan, with an address in Castlerea, Co Roscommon was convicted in the District Court of 12 charges of theft between the dates of July 8, 2024 to April 15, 2025 contrary to section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.
He was sentenced to consecutive terms totalling 18 months, with the final three months suspended. He later lodged an appeal against the severity of his sentence.
A sergeant told the District Court Appeals Court today that on July 14, 2024, gardai responded to a theft at Aldi in Terenure, where €352 worth of alcohol was stolen.
He said that in the same location on July 8, €325 euro worth of alcohol was taken. He said that several other incidents occurred at this location.
The garda sergeant said that Maughan also stole alcohol from Lidl in Terenure and stole €50 worth of items from Penneys on Mary Street. He also stole groceries from a Centra in Roscommon on two occasions in 2024.
The garda sergeant said that Maughan has 54 previous convictions, including counts of theft and road traffic matters.
A defence solicitor for Maughan said that his client had spiralled over recent years and that he struggled with alcohol and drug addictions.
He said that Maughan was taking large amounts of alcohol and tablets at the time.
He said his client has had no disciplinary issues since going into custody and is now completely clean.
Judge Martina Baxter said that no documents had been handed to the court to prove Maughan’s behaviour while in custody.
She said that his offending was “prolific” in returning to the same location.
Judge Baxter asked that a urine analysis report be provided to the court and adjourned the matter for another day next term.
The case was later recalled however, with the solicitor telling the court that Maughan would be withdrawing his appeal.
Judge Baxter decided to vacate her order to provide urine analysis and affirmed the order of the District Court.