Suspended prison term for man who stole charity boxes from Westport pubs

A 'destitute' man who claimed he had no alternative but to steal charity boxes from a number of pubs in Westport in order to survive has been given a suspended two years prison sentence.

In February of last year, Noel Ó'Murchú, of no fixed abode but a native of Co. Kerry, made off with a collection box containing roughly €200 from Matt Molloy’s, Bridge Street, Westport.

The premises is owned by acclaimed flautist Matt Molloy.

A week later he took a further charity box, containing about €100, from the Helm licensed premises on the nearby Quay.

The collection containers had been placed in both pubs by Westport Lions Club.

O'Murchú (54), now said to be working as a barman in London, was found guilty by a jury at the Circuit Criminal Court recently of the theft of the collection boxes.

He admitted taking the boxes and their contents stating he did so because at the time he was living rough in a caravan without any heat and needed money to get a place to stay.

He claimed that at the time of the offences he was nine weeks living rough in Mayo.

“I was afraid I would die of the cold,” the accused stated.

When the defendant appeared before Judge Rory MacCabe for sentencing today, his counsel, Brendan McDonagh, told the court that at the time of the offences he found himself in a in a very difficult financial situation as he was unable to find employment.

Mr. McDonagh said his client had now moved to London, was working as a barman, and had €300 available in court to make restitution.

Sentencing O'Murchú to 12 months in prison on each count Judge MacCabe said he seemed to believe that he had been entitled to the money as he had fallen on hard times.

Commenting that the taxpayer had been punished enough – due to the cost of a trial – Judge MacCabe sentenced O'Murchú to 12 months in prison on each charge, suspended for five years on the usual terms and conditions.