11 months for man who burgled solicitor’s office
Stole petty cash box from Newbridge law offices
MAN who burgled a solicitor’s office was sentenced to 11 months in jail – but because he is already serving a prison sentence, this particular sanction will not affect his projected release date of Christmas Day 2026.
In order to make life easier for the transport officers of the Irish Prison Service, when judges have to convict people serving sentences, they tend to do so as a job lot in one session to allow for the re-incarcerations to start earlier. This was the case last week in Naas District Court when Judge Desmond Zaidan asked the senior prison official who he had with him as the prisoners were paraded into the dock.
“Patrick Stokes,” said the prison officer.
“Who?” said the perplexed but normally unflappable registrar.
“Paddy! Paddy is a fixture in this court. Everybody knows Paddy!” smiled the judge.
“I don’t have the papers,” said the registrar.
“These are new charges,” explained Garda Paddy Robbins. “I charged him this morning.”
Mr Stokes (44), previously of no fixed abode, the Peter McVerry Trust in Tullow, and Castledermot, but now formally Midlands Prison, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, was charged with the burglary of Patrick V Boland and Sons Solicitors in Greatconnell, Newbridge on 2 September 2024.
“His reply to charge was: ‘I’m very sorry, it’ll never happen again’,” said Garda Robbins.
“He entered the solicitor’s office and told the receptionist he wanted to see [named solicitor],” continued Garda Robbins.
“They were open for business?” clarified the judge, which Garda Robbins confirmed.
“When the receptionist went to get the solicitor, the defendant went behind the counter and took the petty cash box. He discarded the cheque book, but took €500 in cash,” the garda said.
“Previous?” asked the judge, almost superfluously.
“Oh, quite significant … he has over 100 previous convictions,” confirmed the garda.
Defending solicitor Tim Kennelly said: “My client is a father of four, and is currently serving a sentence with a release date of January 2027.”
Addressing the defendant, Judge Zaidan asked: “Paddy, when you get out, what’s your plan?” “I’m off the drugs, and when I’m off, it’s a different ballgame,” said Mr Stokes.
“I hope you get your life turned around,” said Judge Zaidan.
“Thanks, judge,” the defendant replied.
“To be fair to him, of 100 previous convictions, none are for violence,” noted the judge.
“He is a placid man,” confirmed the garda.
“He has entered a plea of guilty at the earliest possible opportunity, even at the charge stage he said sorry,” said Mr Kennelly. “He has a year left [on the sentence he’s currently serving],” added Mr Kennelly.
“What do you do every day, Paddy?” asked the judge.
“School. I’m trying to learn to read and write, and I like art class,” said the defendant in the dock.
“Would you be able to draw Mr Kennelly?” asked the judge.
“Not yet,” said Mr Stokes with confidence.
Judge Zaidan give him an 11-month sentence, but assured Mr Stokes: “This will not affect your release date on 25 December.”
