‘shameful’ | 

Man with 64 previous theft convictions jailed for spate of robberies over 10-hour period

The court heard that Mr Reilly has spent ‘a considerable amount of time in custody’ over the past number of year

Today at 18:17

A man with 104 previous convictions – 64 of which were offences under the Theft and Fraud Offences act – has been jailed for 21 months for three more incidents of theft.

Charlie Reilly (31), of 8 River Court, Great Water Street, Longford, appeared before Judge Kenneth Connolly in Longford Circuit Court where evidence was given of three acts of theft that were carried out in the space of approximately ten hours.

Mr Reilly was initially charged with theft of two bottles of aftershave valued at €123.50 from Lloyd’s pharmacy on September 9, 2023; theft of a Tommy Hilfiger hoodie valued at €78 from Sports Direct on the same day; and burglary at the Longford Arms where a sum of €203 was taken from a till in the early hours of that same day.

The Director of Public Prosecutions instructed a nolles prosequi for the count of burglary and Mr Reilly was instead charged with a third count of theft for the €203 that was taken from the till at the Longford Arms Hotel.

He pleaded guilty to all three counts of theft in January.

Garda Rachel Carlin of Longford Garda Station told the court that she and a colleague attended at three locations in Longford town, regarding theft incidents.

At Sports Direct, she said, it was alleged Mr Reilly had taken a number of clothing items into the changing rooms, removed security tags with a device he had brought for that purpose, and tried to leave the shop while wearing a hoodie and jacket he had not purchased.

He was apprehended by a member of staff and insisted the items were his own. After some confrontation, he removed the jacket, but walked out of the store still wearing the Tommy Hilfiger hoodie worth €78.

The member of staff recognised Mr Reilly and identified him for Gardaí, before Garda Carlin viewed CCTV footage and confirmed the identity of the male suspect.

Garda Carlin then received a call from Lloyd’s Pharmacy where it was alleged a male had removed two bottles of aftershave, worth €123.50, from the shelves, put them in his pocket, and left the premises without paying.

Again, he was recognised by the store manager and, again, his identity was confirmed by Gardaí via CCTV footage.

A third call received by Gardaí that day alleged that between 2.40am and 2.50am on September 9, 2023, a male had entered the premises, gone behind the counter and removed €203 from the till before leaving.

Staff were alerted to the incident when it was noticed the usual €250 float was significantly depleted. Gardaí were called and Mr Reilly was once again identified via CCTV footage.

Mr Reilly was arrested on September 28, and detained at Longford Garda Station but refused to leave his cell for the purpose of interview, Gda Carlin explained.

After a six-hour period, he was released and re-arrested, then charged with the thefts and burglary. The money and aftershave were not returned, but the hoodie was recovered.

Of 104 previous convictions, Mr Reilly has 64 previous under the Theft and Fraud Act 2001. Those include 47 for theft, seven for making gain or causing loss by deception, one for making off without payment, six for burglary and three for robbery.

The other 40 charges include six under the Non-Fatal Offences Against a Person Act 1997, six for public order, 20 for road traffic offences, three for failing to appear in court, one for possession of knives or articles, and four miscellaneous convictions, including one for possession of a mobile phone in prison.

He was also under an 18 month probationary supervision order at the time of committing the offences before the court.

The court heard that Mr Reilly has spent “a considerable amount of time in custody” over the past number of years and that, when released from custody, he has a tendency to reoffend.

Judge Kenneth Connolly noted that Mr Reilly had been released from prison in August 2023 after he had received a 10 month sentence, “only to go and reoffend in September”.

The father of two has a former partner and currently lives with his mother, the court heard. He has also struggled with substance abuse.

“It is very difficult when the court comes across a case like this,” said Judge Connolly.

“I accept those crimes were committed against the backdrop of substance abuse and no doubt he has broken his mother’s heart.

“He was born in 1991, his first recorded conviction was 2009 and I’m suspecting I only have his adult convictions.

“He hasn’t had a care in the world for his long suffering mother, nor a care in the world for his ex partner, nor a care in the world for his two children.

“Theft is a very unwelcome matter for any law abiding retailer or shopkeeper,” Judge Connolly continued.

“He made no attempt to disguise himself and he carried out these offences under pretty blatant circumstances.

“He walked behind the counter of a hotel and brazenly opened the till. He took two bottles of aftershave and walked off. He took a hoodie.

“He was the subject of an 18-month supervision order but he had complete disregard for the law. It seems all he understands is bars in front of his person,” he added, remarking that the court could provide that.

Other aggravating factors included Mr Reilly’s refusal to cooperate with Gardaí or to leave his cell for interview.

In mitigation, Judge Connolly noted the early plea of guilt, but stated this carries less credit as he was “caught red handed” on CCTV.

He accepted there was an element of substance abuse and commended the accused for going on a methadone programme and also achieving “enhanced prisoner status” while in custody.

“But in each reoffending incident, he lets his children down over and over and over again and that is a shameful thing, Mr Reilly,” said Judge Connolly.

He proceeded to sentence Mr Reilly to 21 months in prison, backdating it to September 29, 2023, when he first went into custody.