Clare man jailed for stealing gifts and unopened cards intended for bride at wedding

An “industrious thief” from County Clare who stole around €20,000 worth of property in a series of thefts has been jailed.

In one incident, Patrick Harty stole a handbag, containing gifts and unopened cards intended for the bride, during a wedding.

On another occasion, also at a wedding, he posed as a hotel security guard to take luggage.  

Harty, aged 51, of Rossmanagher Road, Sixmilebridge pleaded guilty to five counts, including four of theft and one of unlawful use of a car.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Harty carried out the crime spree in various locations in Leinster, on dates between May 31, 2023 and January 1, 2024.

The locations included a hotel in County Kildare, Brittas Bay in County Wicklow and Dublin City Centre.  

The court heard no property was recovered.

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The investigating garda told Joe Mulrean BL, prosecuting, that around €20,000 of property was taken by Harty during the 24  “opportunistic” thefts.

Referring to the theft of the handbag at a wedding, the garda said the value of items taken is unknown as the cards hadn't been opened.

He said Harty “would spot a situation” to take items, but none of these incidents featured any confrontation between him and the injured party.

He said many of these thefts took place at bars, restaurants, beaches, weddings and garages.

Imposing sentence, Judge Martin Nolan said Harty was an “industrious thief”.

Having considered the mitigation and Harty's personal circumstances, Judge Nolan imposed a five-year sentence, with the final year suspended on strict conditions.

Judge Nolan said Harty's actions caused “great inconvenience” to his victims. He said it seemed that Harty had been travelling in the Leinster area, where he “spotted opportunities and stole”.

The garda also outlined to the court that on May 31, 2023, Harty took a phone, worth €800, which a British tourist had left charging at the bar of the Arlington Hotel in Dublin City Centre.

In July 2023, he took a €600 bag, containing identification documents, belonging to a French tourist after she put her bag on the seat beside her while she was sitting at a bar in Mary Street.

Harty was identified from CCTV and nothing of evidential value was obtained when he was interviewed.

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He has been in custody since his arrest. Harty has a large number of previous convictions including for theft, burglary and road traffic offences.

The garda accepted a suggestion from Cathal McGreal BL, defending, that Harty is “not a man of high intelligence”, but a  “bag dipper and bag snatcher”. The witness added that Harty's offending was “opportunistic”.

Judge Nolan remarked that “whatever intelligence he has, he has applied totally to wrongdoing”.

It was also accepted by the garda that Harty's plea was valuable.

The garda further agreed with Mr McGreal that violence is not generally part of his client's modus operandi and that Harty would carry out a theft, spend what he got then carry out another.

A psychological report was handed to the court.

Mr McGreal outlined his client's background, including that Harty suffered a brain injury when he was younger in an accident.

His parents were both alcoholics and his mother was violent. Mr McGreal said his client was a “victim of neglect” who was sent out to beg and steal as a child, and was “beaten” if he refused.

Mr McGreal said Harty is an alcoholic, has limited literacy skills and neurological deficits. He is assessed at high risk of re-offending without appropriate treatment and supports.

Harty is from a Traveller background and his family check in on him, counsel said.

He submitted to the court that Harty is not a “professional, sophisticated” criminal as might be suggested, and asked the court to “do its best” for him.

The judge said it appeared that Harty has been “doing this all his life”, but undoubtedly, had faced his own difficulties.  

But, Judge Nolan said Harty knew the difference between right and wrong, and would have known he was doing wrong when he committed these offences.

Harty was also directed to undergo one year of post-release supervision by the Probation Services.