A 51-year-old garda who has been suspended after admitting two shoplifting charges, was first treated for depression 30 years ago, Sligo Circuit Court heard yesterday.
Judge Anthony Kennedy will today sentence Jarlath Naughton of Crozon Crescent, Sligo, on two counts of theft from two Sligo supermarkets.
Garda Naughton, who is facing dismissal from the force after 27 years, pleaded guilty to the charges. One of his superiors said he lived a reclusive life but was an inoffensive man.
Naughton admitted the theft of four fruit scones which he ate during a two-hour period wandering around Dunnes Stores, Cranmore, Sligo, on December 3rd, 2005. The court heard that while he did purchase other items on the occasion, he failed to pay for the scones.
The garda also admitted stealing a number of grocery items including five bottles of water, two cartons of milk, four toothbrushes, a packet of cereal, tea bags, three vegetable soups and a scone with a total value of €46.51 from Tesco, O'Connell Street, Sligo, on October 22nd, 2005.
Insp James Kearns told the court that the accused was caught on closed circuit television leaving Tesco without paying for the items. A Garda investigation got under way and on December 3rd, 2005, the accused was arrested after the incident in Dunnes Stores.
Insp Kearns, who was Garda Naughton's immediate superior for a period when they were based at Ballymote Garda station in Co Sligo, said he was concerned about the defendant's general behaviour and demeanour after his arrest and summoned a doctor to the station. The accused was admitted to Sligo General Hospital and spent six days there.
The accused now lives with and cares for his 86-year-old mother in Sligo.
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