HOSPITAL THEFT | 

Man (35) stole mobile phones from elderly patients in cardiovascular ward

Daniel O’Grady was given a five-month jail term for stealing the mobile phones

The Argus

Today at 09:28

A 35-year-old man who stole mobile phones belonging to elderly hospital patients has been jailed.

Daniel O’Grady, Patrick Tierney Crescent, Cox’s Demesne, Dundalk, pleaded guilty to the offences which occurred at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital on 11 December last.

Court presenter Sgt Letitia McConnell said that the victims were in the cardiovascular ward. iPhone, XIOMI and Doro phones were taken.

CCTV showed the defendant going into a restricted area and opening lockers.

Investigators subsequently went to Mr O’Grady’s address where he was asleep in bed. He admitted stealing the three mobile phones and selling them.

Evidence was also given that he shoplifted from the same store on four occasions over successive days.

On 29 July last at Centra, Castletown Road, he took €14.50 of Coors, later 2 Red Bull and subsequently €69-worth of household items.

The following day he stole goods valued €65.10.

The court heard that at 7.35pm on 20 July the defendant went into Lidl, St Helena, and took items worth €35.21. He was stopped outside by staff and the property recovered.

Later, he took shampoo valued €120.75. This was not recovered.

Neither were €42 of groceries that Mr O’Grady removed from Mace, Castletown Road, on 17 November. The next day gardaí called to his address and he made admissions.