Court appearance over stolen cars

A young Limerick man who stole two cars in this locality appeared before Nenagh District Court.

Joey Bermingham (21), St Bridget’s Avenue, St Mary’s Park, pleaded guilty to the unauthorised taking of a vehicle from outside the owner’s house at Riverview, Borrisoleigh, on November 11 last. The court heard that the vehicle was unlocked and the key was in it. The car was recovered two days later at Applegreen, Birdhill, though the key was never found.

Mr Bermingham also took a car from outside the owner’s home at Finnoe Road, Borrisokane, on July 5, 2024. He found the key in the vehicle’s glovebox. The car was subsequently found crashed. The defendant’s DNA was found in the vehicle.

The loss amounted to €3,000 for the car and key. Mr Bermingham had previous convictions for burglary, theft, trespassing, unauthorised taking, public disorder and drug offences. He appeared in court via video link from prison.

His counsel said Mr Bermingham had become involved in “what we would call the wrong crowd and was making very poor life decisions”.

Judge Marie Keane inquired about compensation and was told that Mr Bermingham’s family could gather the €3,000 in a week. She thereby remanded the defendant in custody to last Friday’s sitting of the court, when compensation was paid in full. Judge Keane imposed a three-month prison sentence, suspended for two years in Mr Bermingham’s own bond of €100. He was granted bail to appear before Limerick District Court this week in relation to other matters.