Judge says Portlaoise shops have to be protected, as man jailed for stealing Sambuca

Portlaoise shops and businesses have to be protected, a judge said as he jailed a man who stole Sambuca and whiskey from local shops. 

Damian Fiodorowicz, 41, with an address at 29 Carmody Way, Fairgreen, Portlaoise admitted twelve counts relating to public order and theft offences in Portlaoise last year. 

The thefts included using a stolen bank card to steal €38.39 from Carryout on the Mountemellick Road in Portlaoise on September 9, 2022, the theft of two bottles of Sambuca from Supervalu on the Abbeyleix Road in Portlaoise on October 18, 2022 and the theft of whiskey valued at €32 from Dunnes Stores on the Mountmellick Road in Portlaoise on October 30, 2022.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said there were 12 charges in total. He said the man had 18 previous convictions.

Solicitor Barry Fitzgearald said his client, who is serving a sentence with a release date in August, was pleading guilty to all of the charges. 

“He is in custody since May 3,” said Mr Fitzgerald. 

Mr Fitzgerald said his client was from Poland and had arrived in Ireland for work. 

“He came to work in construction and it was going well for a year or two,” he said. 

“He was working for a painter and decorator who went out of business,” Mr Fitzgerald explained. He said the man had been working “cash in hand” and had no PPS and subsequently fell into homelessness. The man then “sought refuge” in alcohol and succumbed to alcoholism, he said.  

Mr Fitzgerald said there was an element of desperation underpinned by alcoholism behind the crimes.

“He is a man who has previously worked and  worked hard,” said Mr Fitzgerald.

“He doesn’t cause the State much difficulty when he is apprehended,” he said.

“It is hard to see hope here,” said Judge Andrew Cody. 

“The shops and businesses of Portlaoise have to be protected,” he said. 

Mr Fitzgerald suggested some post release supervision in order to get assistance getting a PPS and employment. 

Judge Cody sentenced the man to eight months in prison with the last four suspended for three years in relation to thefts. 

The rest of the charges were taken into account.  

Judge Cody ordered that the sentence commence on the date of the expiry of the sentence being served.