A serial thief who went on a “spree of offending” in Dublin City Centre, stealing 290 euro worth of socks and smearing his own blood on the walls of a garda station cell, has had his 14-month sentence halved on appeal.
William Kavanagh (35) with an address at St Michan’s, Greek Street, Dublin 7 went on a spree of thefts and criminal damage between January and March 2024.
Sergeant Lee Kelly told the District Court Appeals Court that on January 8, 2024 Kavanagh stole 15 pairs of socks from Footlocker on Mary Street, Dublin 1 to the value of 290 euro.
He said that on January 25, 2024 a man was observed by gardai and he attempted to hide behind cars. He said that the man – Kavanagh – changed his story numerous times when speaking to gardai. Sgt Kelly said that Kavanagh was found in possession of items which had been stolen.
Sgt Kelly said that on February 12, 2024 on Benburb Street, Kavanagh was found in possession of a stolen wallet and cash to the value of 90 euro. He said that he was also observed by an off duty garda smashing a car window. He said he was later arrested and charged over the incident.
The garda said that later that day while in custody at Bridewell Garda Station, Kavanagh wrote all over the cell walls with his own blood. He said that the cleaning fee for the smeared blood cost 100 euro.
Sgt Kelly also said that on March 7, 2024 gardai were flagged down by members of the public on Bow Street, Dublin after the appellant had smashed the passenger window of a car and taken items from the vehicle.
Kavanagh was convicted in the District Court of three counts of theft under section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud) Act 2001, three counts of criminal damage contrary to section 2(1) of the Criminal Damage Act 1991 and one count of possessing stolen property contrary to section 18 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.
In the District Court, he was sentenced to six months for the theft charge on January 8 and to eight months consecutive to that for the January 25 charge. He later lodged an appeal against the severity of his sentence.
Sgt Kelly said that Kavanagh has 180 previous convictions, including charges for burglary and 50 for theft.
Defence counsel for Kavanagh, Caroline O’Connell BL, said that the matter was proceeding by way of severity only and that her client was not contesting the conviction in these cases.
She said that the sentence of 14 months, consecutive to a term Kavanagh is currently serving up to March 2026, would be a “crushing” sentence.
Ms O’Connell said that her client had severe drug addiction issues but he had completed a five-week program and has started to turn things around while in custody. She said he wanted to make a change for himself and be able to support his family.
Judge Christopher Callan decided to suspend the final seven months of the 14-month sentence for a period of two years on the condition that Kavanagh keeps the peace and engages with Merchant’s Quay Ireland for rehabilitation upon release.