Deaf alcoholic stole boy's bag to carry drink

Deaf alcoholic caught on CCTV writes Andrew Phelan for the Herald (10/11/11).

A DEAF alcoholic burglar trespassed at a school and stole a child's bag to keep his cans of drink in, a court heard

Fergus Gannon (42) went to the changing rooms while the boy was out training and stole his bag, along with his uniform and golf shoes.

Gannon, who was drunk, had seen the door open and the student's bag was "attractive for him to put his cans into", Dublin District Court was told. A judge adjourned the case against Gannon for the production of a probation report.

The accused, with an address at Glen Aulin Road, Palmerstown, pleaded guilty to burglary at St Michael's College, Ailesbury Road, on April 1.

Garda Liam McGraynor told the court it was reported that a man had entered the grounds at 3pm and stolen a black bag with a school uniform and shoes in it.
Gannon was identified on CCTV footage and gardai searched his flat with a warrant on April 19. The bag was found, but the contents, worth €150, were not recovered.

He has 16 previous convictions for offences such as burglary, possession of weapons, breach of the peace and assault.

Gannon had "profound hearing difficulties in both ears", Shalom Binchy, defending, said.
"His deafness has been something that is very difficult for him to come to terms with.
"He has some sign language and some rudimentary ability to speak but communication has been a problem throughout his life," she told the court.

Gannon had been drinking since he was 15 and alcohol had also been a problem for him throughout his adult life. The defendant's disability had also been a stumbling block to getting help for his drink problem. He had been unable to attend AA because he would have needed a sign interpreter with him at meetings.

The court heard the changing room had been 200m away from the training area and the accused had stated at the time that he was watching a basketball game.
Judge Aingeal Ni Chonduin said Gannon had a previous conviction for a similar offence and there "has to be some form of deterrent".

She adjourned the case to January 17 for the preparation of a probation report.