Carrigaline man goes ahead with sentencing despite no representation due to legal aid changes

A 28-year-old man serving a sentence told the district court judge in Cork on Friday that he wanted to go ahead with sentencing on his latest theft offences, even though he had no legal representation due to the solicitors’ strike over free legal aid changes.

Judge David Waters imposed a total sentence of four months on Corey O’Brien, of 42 Rockboro Heights, Waterpark, Carrigaline, Co Cork. 

He said this sentence would only make the sentence already being served by the defendant slightly longer.

The accused had 65 previous convictions, including 12 for theft and two for robbery.

The judge said he was taking into consideration the fact that the accused was pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity and that he had made his plea without the benefit of legal representation.

Sergeant John Dineen outlined the offences, mainly thefts, committed by Corey O’Brien.

On April 5, 2024, he drove off without paying for €60 in petrol at Maxol at West Village, Ballincollig.

On May 12, 2024, he drove off without paying for €85 in petrol at Maxol on Carrigaline Road.

Much more recently, on May 6 this year at Galvin’s off-licence in Carriglaine, he stole a €25 vape at around 3pm and stole a slab of beer valued at €48 from the same premises at 8.30pm.

On June 20 this year he was caught shoplifting at Next on Opera Lane. And on that same date he had no driving licence or insurance.

Other than pleading guilty and saying, “I apologise for my actions”, the defendant made no further submissions on his own behalf.