Teenager says he will do his sentence for 130th conviction 'on my back asleep'
A Dublin youth told a judge he would serve a two-month term for theft “on my back asleep” after he was sentenced for his 130th criminal conviction.
Daryll Rooney (aged 18), from Railway Street in the city centre, pleaded guilty to stealing €200 worth of clothes at Champion Sports on Dublin's Grafton Street on May 15 last year.
The case was heard at the Dublin Children's Court because he was aged 17 and still a minor at the time of the shoplifting incident.
However, he has since turned 18 and reached adulthood by the time the proceedings commenced.
Judge John O'Connor was told the youth and two other males “used a detagger” which helped them take the clothing. They left without paying and the teen was identified from CCTV.
The court was told the youth already had 129 convictions which included a 15-month term handed down in February for motoring offences.
Counsel for the defence said the teenager is now in a drug-free section in custody and it was hoped that would encourage him to rehabilitate.
He is also engaging with services and courses made available to him in custody, the barrister said in pleas for leniency.
Judge O'Connor imposed a two-month term and ordered that it would run consecutively to the sentence the youth was already serving.
“I'll do that on my back asleep Judge,” the teenager replied.
