Chocolate thief with 191 convictions jailed for assault on father and ‘stack’ of thefts

Drug addict Mark McCabe already had 191 previous convictions when he admitted multiple charges.

McCabe (44), from Marigold Crescent, Darndale, was sentenced to 10 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to assault, theft, public order and trespassing offences. Judge Treasa Kelly said McCabe had a “terrible history” of offending, but made the jail term concurrent to one he is already serving.

Dublin District Court heard gardaí were called to the accused’s home address on October 21 last year when it was reported there was a row between a father and son.

McCabe pushed his father, who fell and hit his head on the corner of the skirting board.

McCabe was found rummaging through bins

Separately, the court heard, McCabe went to Circle K on the Malahide Road on March 28 and stole €175 worth of chocolate.

He had also stolen €38 worth of chocolates from a Lidl on January 12.

McCabe was found rummaging through bins and stock behind the loading gates at Halfords, Coolock, on the same day, January 12.

Another trespassing incident happened at Fleet Street car park in the city centre last December 18, when McCabe was found with a group of drug users on the top floor.

McCabe verbally abused a shop assistant when asked to leave Dealz, Clarehall, Coolock, on January 14 and was charged with threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour.

On January 9, he shoplifted groceries valued at €384 from Circle K, Artane. He took another €400 of groceries from the same shop on March 19 and €80 worth on April 2.

On May 9 last year, he stole a phone from a shop counter after a staff member was distracted. McCabe stole €138 worth of air fresheners from Spar, Malahide Road, on April 28 last year and another €129 worth of air fresheners from Circle K in Artane the following May 22. His most recent conviction was for theft in May this year, when he was given a 10-month sentence.

The defence accepted McCabe had a “stack” of offences, both previous and before the court, his solicitor said. He came from a “very dysfunctional background and upbringing”.

McCabe had never gone to secondary school and “fell through the cracks”. He suffered from drug and alcohol addiction but had got himself into treatment.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday July 15th