€700 in fines for couple who raided house
'VIOLATION OF VICTIM'S PRIVACY CAN OFTEN BE WORSE THAN THE THEFT' SAYS JUDGE
A MAN and woman from Wexford have been fined a total of €700 for a break-in at a house at Newlands, with the judge noting that 'the violation of the victim's privacy can often be worse than the theft'.
Thomas Murphy (45), of 49 Westgate Park, and Tracey Aherne (29), of 9 Trinity Street, were both charged with a burglary at 13 Newlands on August 16, 2008.
Garda Stephen Burke told Wexford District Court that the injured party and her partner went to Wales and came back to find the house had been broken into.
However, while the break-in occurred on August 16, 2008, Garda Burke said that the Gardaí did not receive a report until March 23, 2009.
They investigated the break-in, which led to the arrest of Murphy and Aherne, who admitted taking a small quantity of cash, mainly comprising coins, and jewellery, some of which has been recovered.
Garda Burke said their is a dispute over the value of the jewellery, with the injured party valuing the stolen items at around €1,500, which is disputed by the defendants. The Garda said the value of the jewellery cannot be proven.
The amount of the coins taken from the Newlands house amounted to around €50, Garda Burke said.
Judge William Earley heard that Tracey Aherne had two previous convictions, one for theft (2003) and another for handling stolen property (2000).
Thomas Murphy had 15 previous convictions, the most recent of these was January of this year, for possession of drugs, and they dated back to 1982, when he received a seven-year sentence at the Circuit Court for manslaughter.
Eva Lalor, for the defendants, said it was 'a joint venture, where very little was gained by either of the accused'.
Garda Burke said that Tracey Aherne had been co-operative, hasn't been in trouble since this incident and he doesn't expect that she will be again.
Ms Lalor said that Thomas Murphy has had his difficulties with the law, but is now attending the Cornmarket Project and is due to start a computer course. She said he is trying to improve his situation and is currently free of drugs, which he has had problems with, along with alcohol.
Judge Earley pointed out that 'the violation of the victim's privacy can often be worse than the theft'. He fined Murphy €500 and Aherne €200.
