A psychological need for “social status and respect” caused a serial conman from Roscommon to carry out his thefts and deceptions, a court has heard.
Francis Shanley (36), Church View, Boyle, Co Roscommon, gained nationwide notoriety by calling up RTÉ’s Liveline show to talk about his crimes. Yesterday he pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen BMW car at Drury Street car park, Dublin city centre, between October 23rd and December 17th, 2007.
The court heard he has 77 previous convictions, including 13 for theft, six for making gains by deception, eight for stealing cars and three for dangerous driving.
Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to another 16 months in prison to be served consecutively to his current sentence.