DNA helps catch man who broke into car in Portlaoise

DNA was used to track down a man who smashed the windows of a car and stole a swipe card in Portlaoise. 

Zach Ward (20) with an address at Clonad Road, Portlaoise, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to a car and to stealing a swipe card for the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise at  O’Gorman’s Car Park, Kilminchy, Portlaoise, between August 24 and August 28, 2023.  

He appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court via video link represented by Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick. 

She said the defendant hadn’t engaged fully in the restorative justice process. She said his living arrangements “weren’t great at the time” but he now has an address at Mahon in Cork. She said a plea was entered in June when the DNA evidence came to light. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the injured party was canvassed about a victim impact statement but they didn’t wish to make one. 

Outlining the case, Sgt Kriby said the injured party had parked her car outside O’Gorman’s Pub and when she returned on a Monday two passenger side windows were broken. He said a swipe card from the  hospital had been taken from the car. 

Sgt Kirby said DNA from the scene was matched to the defendant who had 37 previous convictions, 18 of which are for theft. 

“The vast majority of his convictions seem to stem  from one day,” Sgt Kirby told Judge Peter White. 

Ms Fitzpatrick asked Sgt Kirby when was the last recorded offence for her client. She was told it was in 2023. 

She told Judge Peter White that the last offending was “in or around” the time of these offences.  She said her client, who she explained had addiction issues, had served a term of imprisonment in the meantime.  

Judge White said the man was to get credit for his early plea. However, he expressed concern about the man’s probation report and his failure to complete the restorative justice process, noting there was an element of disregard to the services made available to him. He said the case warranted a custodial sentence as he imposed a four month prison term back dated to  December 18. At the request of Ms Fitzpatrick, Judge White fixed recognisance in case of appeal.