A Lithuanian man who engaged in a “crime wave” stealing hundreds of euros worth of groceries and other items from various locations across Dublin has avoided jail.
Marius Ochokis, who has an address at a hostel on Gardiner St. Dublin 1, appeared before Dublin District Court charged in relation to the thefts, many of which took place in the area of Clontarf and Fairview.
The court Garda Sergeant detailed how the accused stole batteries to the value of €236 on the 14th of October last before being arrested by Garda Grainne Raggatt.
On the 1st of August in Clontarf he stole smoked haddock to the value of €30 from a seafood shop in the area, which was not recovered.
On the 6th of August he stole steak to the value of €22, on the 19th of August he stole 2 sandwiches from Insomnia in Clontarf valued at €12, on the 24th of August he stole goods to the value of €118 from Tesco Express, Fairview.
On the 2nd of June last he stole sandwiches to the value of €29, and on the 3rd of June he stole €60 worth of steak from Centra Killester.
On the 5th of October he stole €204 worth of goods from Tesco, Fairview, on the 13th of September he stole just over €200 of goods from a Tesco branch, on the 28th of August he stole €30 worth of goods from Centra Killester, on the 30th of July he stole €128 worth of groceries, on the 3rd of July he stole €82 worth of goods from Super Valu Killester, on the 9th of September he attempted to steal €72 worth of goods from Tesco Express, Talbot Street before becoming aggressive towards Gardaî and attempting to kick members of staff.
On another occasion he stole €77 worth of goods from Super Value, Ranelagh, and on a separate occasion he stole 69 worth of baby powder from Dunne’s Stores on Great Georgie’s Street.
He has no previous convictions.
Defending counsel, Barry Lysaght BL asked Judge Michele Finan to impose a suspended sentence on his client, who came to Ireland 3 and-a-half years ago from Lithuania.
Ochokis, who the court heard has no drug or alcohol issues and is not suffering with his mental health, previously worked as a pallet maker but is now unemployed and is receiving €240 in jobseeker’s allowance weekly.
Lysaght agued that the thefts were carried out as a means of “subsistence”, which the court rejected as an explanation.
“This is pretty much a crime wave,” Judge Finan said, adding, “These are serious matters.”
The court imposed a custodial sentence of 9 months one count of theft, and another 6 months consecutive on a further count.
This was suspended for 12 months on condition of good behaviour and that the accused enter into a bond of €200.
“I don’t want to see you back again, do you understand?”, Judge Finan told Ochokis.