Man before court over Mayo theft and public order charges

A man with a history of convictions appeared before Castlebar District Court on theft and public order offences.

Jordon Dowding, Frenchill, Castlebar, came before Judge Sandra Murphy charged with a Section 4 theft offence and a Section 6 public order offence.

The court heard that on September 24, 2025, Jordan Dowding entered Dunnes Stores, Castlebar, and stole a pair of white socks and flip-flops, valued €9.

Garda Sergeant Fiona Farrell told the court that Garda Mark Walkin was on beat patrol in the Mountain View area when he came across Dowding, whom he knew to be in breach of his bail conditions, which required him to stay out of Castlebar unless attending appointments.

It was alleged that Dowding was wearing the stolen items at the time. He was subsequently charged with theft.

Solicitor Mr. Gary Mulchrone entered a guilty plea on his client’s behalf.

The court also heard details of a separate public order incident on December 10, 2025, at Castlebar Garda Station.

Garda Sergeant Farrell said Dowding was signing on at the station as part of his bail conditions when he allegedly became abusive towards a garda after he engaged in a conversation with Dowding.

It was alleged that Dowding used abusive language towards the garda and repeatedly headbutted a glass partition in the station. He was arrested and initially resisted before being placed in a cell.

A guilty plea was entered in respect of the Section 6 offence.

Mr. Mulchrone outlined that Dowding has four previous convictions dating from 2022 and 2023, which were dealt with in November 2024.

He said the court was familiar with his client, who has a diagnosis of autism and has struggled to access appropriate disability supports.

Mr. Mulchrone said his client, now in his 30s, lives at home and struggles to regulate his behaviour during periods of difficulty, leading to incidents that cause alarm to others and bring him to the attention of gardaí.

He described the behaviour as “heedless and senseless” and said Dowding was open to engaging with probation services.

Judge Sandra Murphy said she had seen Dowding coming in and out of court and noted that his difficulties were drawing him into criminal behaviour. She adjourned the matter to allow for a probation report.

The case was adjourned to April 15 next. Dowding was remanded on continuing bail, with one condition amended to remove the requirement to sign on at the garda station, as he is to stay out of Castlebar town.

* Published under the Courts Reporting Scheme.