Cork man convicted for shoplifting offences called gardaí 'rat bastards' in disturbance at hostel
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A young man who verbally abused gardaí as “rat bastards” and committed a series of burglaries and other crimes has been given the opportunity to do community service instead of going to jail.
Ryan Kennefick, 22, of St Vincent’s Hostel, Anglesea Terrace, Cork, pleaded guilty to several offences at Cork District Court.
Now, Judge Mary Dorgan said she would adjourn sentencing until March 26 for a probation report on his suitability to do a community service order.
Defence solicitor Daithí Ó Donnaháin said Kennefick recently sustained a serious injury around his ear but had been trying to put his life on a better footing.
Adjourning the case for the report on his suitability for the community work, Judge Dorgan warned the young man that in the meantime: “No offending, no drink, no drugs. Attend at all probation appointments.”
The judge previously described the offences committed by Kennefick around Cork City as "messy".
“Messy offending is what I would described this as. His behaviour with the guards was inappropriate in the extreme,” Judge Dorgan said.
Sergeant John Kelleher said gardaí were called to St Vincent’s Hostel, Anglesea Terrace, Cork, on March 12, where two men were causing a disturbance — one of whom was identified as Ryan Kennefick.
“Mr Kennefick shouted: ‘Get the f*** away from me’ and he called the gardaí ‘c***s and rat bastards’,” Sgt Kelleher said.
In an earlier incident on October 6, 2023, the same defendant went to Topaz on Monahan Road and stole Lucozade, chocolate-flavoured Yazoo drink and tea bags, Sgt Kelleher said.
On November 14, 2023, he stole a bottle of wine at Centra, Broadale, Maryborough Hill, Cork.
On the same date this near, November 14, he was shoplifting at Spar, MacCurtain Street.
The accused had 23 convictions.
Mr Ó Donnabháin said the accused had an amount of alcohol consumed at the time of the offences.
In respect of the row at the hostel, the solicitor said: “There was bad blood between himself and another resident of St Vincent’s. He is at a crossroads in his life.”
Kennefick also admitted a count related to March 29, 2024, where it is alleged he trespassed at Salt restaurant on Victoria Road, Cork, where the prosecution said nothing was taken.
As well as the community service order, the judge also imposed a three-month suspended sentence.