Homeless man was sleeping in West Cork holiday home laundry
Judge Joanne Carroll said she had to convict Cowhig and sentenced him to three months in prison, suspended for 12 months on the entering with intent charge.
A homeless man in West Cork was using the discarded laundry from a holiday home as bedding in a nearby shed, the district court has been told.
Clonakilty District Court heard Jim Cowhig, aged 52, of Tawnies Crescent, Clonakilty and formerly of no fixed abode, had entered a shed at a holiday rental property in Clonakilty without the owner’s permission.
The court was told Cowhig was a “rough sleeper” at the time, and had spent several nights between February 8 and February 16 sleeping in the outbuilding at Bushmount Lodge in Clonakilty.
The court was told that laundry was found “spread around” the shed as if someone had been using it to sleep on. The court was told a window to the shed had also been broken to the value of €180.
Cowhig pleaded guilty to entering a building with intent to commit an offence and to one count of criminal damage.
Defence solicitor Conrad Murphy said his client had significant alcohol issues and had been homeless for some time when he entered the building at Bushmount. The court was told Cowhig had been sober since April and had secured accommodation in Clonakilty.
Mr Murphy said his client had also compensated the owners the €180 for the window despite his very difficult circumstances.
Judge Joanne Carroll said she had to convict Cowhig and sentenced him to three months in prison, suspended for 12 months on the entering with intent charge.
On the criminal damage charge, he was placed on a probation bond for 12 months on condition he cooperates with the probation service, attends alcohol addiction treatment and seeks employment or training.
This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
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