Man who broke into Mayo café truck has been in and out of jail since he was 13

"Nothing has been done to help rehabilitation efforts," he tells judge

A 50-year-old man who has been in and out of prison since he was 13 has amassed 97 previous convictions ranging from 19 cases of burglary, possession of drugs for sale or supply, possession of stolen goods, car theft, assault, as well as numerous public order offences.

Stephen Wilson, of no fixed abode but currently serving a prison sentence, appeared via video link from Clover Hill Prison at Castlebar District Court where he entered a plea of guilty to a charge of theft and attempting to commit burglary.

Garda Inspector Thomasina McHale said the incidents related to a break-in at Tuffy’s Café Truck on the Ballina to Foxford Road on the afternoon of November 29, 2024, where the defendant stole €275 he found in the till while he also attempted to break into Tuffy’s Gala premises but was prevented from doing so.

The two incidents had been captured on CCTV.

Counsel for the defendant, Mr. Patrick O’Sullivan, BL, said his client had a tough life and had effectively been in and out of prison since he was 13 years of age, with some of his previous convictions going back to 1989.

He added that a serious drug addiction problem, including addiction to heroin, had also been a significant factor in the defendant spending a large part of his life in prison.

The defendant, speaking via video link, told Judge Sandra Murphy that he has been in and out of prison most of life since he was 13 and claimed nothing had been done for him to help him in his rehabilitation efforts.

He has been engaging with various courses run at the prison.

Judge Murphy said that is something she would address when she decided on what sanctions she imposes.

Judge Murphy adjourned the case to May 19 to see if the injured party wishes to make a victim impact statement while she is also seeking an up-to-date probation report in relation to the defendant’s extensive list of previous convictions and what progress, of any, he is making in prison.

* Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.