Newbridge man pleads guilty to stealing sum of money from van in County Kildare

A 22-year-old man with 28 previous convictions pleaded guilty to a theft offence he committed in Newbridge.

Jimmy Connors, with an address listed as 32 Millfield Manor in Newbridge, but who is currently remanded in custody for another offence, admitted to stealing €400 from a van located near Lidl on the Dublin Road in Naas on May 18, 2020.

Gardaí added that no force was used to enter into the van, and that he was later identified by CCTV.

Judge Desmond Zaidan was told that Mr Connors, who appeared via video-link on the date in question, has 28 previous convictions, which included convictions for robbery, burglary and theft offences.

After he accepted jurisdiction over the case, Judge Desmond Zaidan was told by defending solicitor David Gibbons that his client had been struggling with substance abuse issues at the time of the offence.

He added that Mr Connors was willing to pay the money back to the injured party.

In response to Mr Gibbons, the judge said that while he appreciated the offer to pay the injured party back, he pointed to the number of Mr Connors' past convictions, which he remarked 'was high for his age.'

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Mr Connors told the judge that most of the offences took place when he was between the ages of 12 and 17, but added that he 'makes no excuses' for his behaviour.

When Judge Zaidan asked him if he would 'change his ways', Mr Connors said that he would.

It was also heard that Mr Connors was due out from prison soon.

The judge adjourned the case to June 15 for sentencing, and to give Mr Connors time to pay the money back to the injured party.

Mr Connors thanked the judge for his decision.