Jail for thief with addiction ‘of the worst possible kind’
A 30-year-old man who committed a series of theft-related offences at businesses in Galway City last year has received prison sentences totalling seven months.
At Galway District Court, Ryan Goldbey, who had addresses at Sandy Road, Galway; Fána Búrca, Knocknacarra, and Dún Áras, Bishop O'Donnell Road, pleaded guilty to a number of offences under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act, on dates between June and December 2025.
These include theft at Dealz, Headford Road Shopping Centre; burglary at Dealz, Headford Road, on November 6; theft of cosmetics, perfume and toiletries worth €184 from Leo Walsh Pharmacy, Shangort Road on June 20 and theft of a €1,000 worth of goods from the same business between June 11 and June 12.
He is also admitted stealing groceries from Tesco, Newcastle Road, in December 2025 and stealing brandy and refills for an electric toothbrush from Tesco, Knocknacarra, on June 15.
Sergeant Damien Prendergast told the court Goldbey had 103 criminal convictions for offences in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Defence solicitor, John Martin, said his client suffered from "addiction of the worst possible kind" that he developed at an early age and led to "theft after theft after theft".
Goldbey had managed to keep his head down for six months but slipped and the offending "ramped back up".
"He's fine when he's not under the control of drugs," Mr Martin added.
Judge Catherine Ryan noted the accused's "very long history" of convictions and said that "private businesses have been significantly affected by his offending". There was no prospect of restitution.
Judge Ryan imposed sentences totalling seven months and fixed recognisances in the event of an appeal.
Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.