Posted online: Sep 30th, 2009

By Sinéad Flanagan
Editor

A MAN who says he became a junkie in prison, was sent to jail last week for stealing two handbags, on two separate occasions.
Martin Foley appeared before Naas District Court last week accused of the thefts.
One occurred on 4th November 2007 when the victim left her handbag on the passenger seat of her jeep. The court heard that Mr Foley smashed the window of the vehicle and grabbed the bag.
The second theft occurred on the 13th September 2007 at St Mary’s College Car Park, Sallins Road, Naas. The victim had nipped into a shop to get something she had forgotten and when she was gone the bag was stolen from her vehicle.
Solicitor for the defendant, Tony Hanahoe explained that the defendant had a heroin addiction. “He says he acquired his habit when he was in prison. For seven years he was in a steady relationship with a young lady” and stayed on the right side of the law during that time. The judge remarked “a lot of fellas, when their relationship breaks up go out and celebrate- he goes onto drugs!”
The judge sentenced Mr Foley to nine months in custody for the offence on the 13th September ’07 and nine months for the November one also. The defendant has an address at 21 Herberton Park, Rialto, Dublin 8.