Defendant with previous conviction for manslaughter and who handled stolen property jailed by Kildare judge

A man with a previous conviction for manslaughter was sentenced to jail for handling stolen property — specifically, a stolen car key.

Judge Desmond Zaidan imposed an 11-month custodial sentence on Aidan Finnegan, with an address listed as 112 Whitestown Avenue, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15, County Dublin, but who is currently in custody.

The sentence was imposed at Naas District Court on Thursday, April 4 last.

The judge was told by gardaí that a vehicle was stolen during the course of a burglary, and later ended up on the Fortunestown Road in Tallaght on October 1, 2021.

Gardaí later discovered that the 43-year-old was in possession of a stolen car key, which was used to activate the car.

Mr Finnegan pleaded guilty to the offence.

The court was told that he has 60 previous convictions, including one for a manslaughter offence.

Defending barrister Donncha Craddock told the judge that his client previously struggled with addiction issues, but has been doing well in prison.

He said that Mr Finnegan has been undertaking an education course in prison.

Mr Craddock also cited his client's early guilty plea.

After consideration, Judge Zaidan said that he would impose an 11m-month sentence on Mr Finnegan.

He set appeal at €400.