Galway festive season ends on sour note
A 23-year-old man with what a court was told was a "horrendous history of re-offending" has received a nine-month suspended prison sentence for his role in damaging a rental car in Galway City on Christmas night.
Paddy Joe Doyle, with an address at Bay 1 Halting Site, Tuam Road, Galway, pleaded guilty at Galway District Court to criminal damage of a white Nissan Juke, the property of GoCar.
Sergeant Damien Prendergast told the District Court last week that, at approximately 11.30pm on December 25, 2025, Gardaí in the city received a report of the alleged unauthorised taking of a vehicle.
Gardaí went to the Monivea Road and observed a vehicle carrying a number of males.
Sgt Prendergast said that during an incident, damage totalling €1,942 was caused to the front side wheel and tyre of the car.
Paddy Joe Doyle has 64 convictions and was on bail at the time of this incident, the court was told.
He is currently serving a 24-month sentence imposed by the District Court for separate offences.
Defence solicitor Michael Cunningham told the court that five males were arrested at the scene.
And he went on to explain that a diligent Garda investigation subsequently resulted in the discovery of a UK driver's licence that identified another male allegedly involved in the incident.
Mr Cunningham said the other males allegedly involved called to his client's home on Christmas night and Doyle made a "stupid decision" to get into the stolen car.
"He regrets this stupid decision to get into the car instead of staying at home with his family on the day that was in it," Mr Cunningham added.
The court heard Paddy Joe Doyle had been trying to see an addiction counsellor in prison but he was currently stuck on a lengthy waiting list.
Judge John King told Mr Cunningham he was "very familiar" with his client and his "horrendous history of re-offending".
Judge King said he noted the accused was already serving a lengthy prison sentence and on this occasion, he said, the court was willing to give him a chance.
He imposed a nine-month suspended sentence on Paddy Joe Doyle, which will now commence on the lawful termination of the accused's current prison sentence.
Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.