Kerry man with 609 convictions racks up several more after shoplifting spree in Cork City
A 55-year-old man from Kerry has received additional criminal convictions in Cork for shoplifting and public intoxication. The defendant, who has over 600 prior convictions, is noted for his struggle with alcohol addiction.
Why it matters
Illustrates the challenges of the judicial system in dealing with repeat offenders suffering from chronic addiction.
Richard O'Brien: 'He has a crippling addiction to alcohol. Obviously, when someone comes before the court with over 600 convictions it paints a picture.' File picture: Hany Marzouk
Six hundred and nine criminal convictions have been clocked up by a 55-year-old man from Killarney, and now he has been given another batch for a litany of offences in Cork, including stealing kegs of beer and cider and bottles of Prosecco.
The number of convictions for Richard O’Brien, of no fixed address, who is from Killarney, Co Kerry, as of now stands at 624 counts.
Stephen Cotter, solicitor, said of the 55-year-old: “He has a crippling addiction to alcohol. Obviously, when someone comes before the court with over 600 convictions it paints a picture. Although there is a pattern of offending, we should not write him off.”
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