A 30-YEAR-OLD who stole an unlocked bicycle in Bantry has been ordered to carry out 40 hours of community service in lieu of two-months imprisonment.

Despite having 21 previous convictions, Flor Murphy, solicitor, appealed for leniency at Bantry District Court in the case of Marlon Corrigan of No 1 Vickery's Inn, New Street, Bantry.

Mr Murphy said his client has only one previous conviction for theft which involved taking a sandwich roll from a shop in Clonakilty a few years ago.

Mr Murphy said his client is 'on the spectrum’ and got into difficulty after his parents divorced, when his father went to live in South Africa, and his mother moved to Castletownbere.

'He ended up in homeless accommodation for two years. He really suffered during the COVID lockdown, and came under the supervision of the mental health services,’ said Mr Murphy.

In 2024, Mr Corrigan’s father died and before this offence took place at about 7am at Wolfe Tone Square on April 6th, his client had not been taking his medication.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy said CCTV footage was sourced and the accused was approached by gardaí a short time later.

The sergeant said the accused co-operated with the gardaí and brought them to where he had it in his home.

After a short recess, and consultation, a probation officer told Judge Joanne Carroll that the accused was a suitable candidate to do community service.

Instructing the accused to enter into a bond for nine months, Judge Carroll said he must co-operate with the probation service; engage with the mental health services; and avail of training or employment offered to him.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.