“Repeat Offender Paul Ireland Accused of Stealing £459 Worth of Alcohol from Supermarket”

Paul Ireland, a notorious thief with over 200 criminal convictions, has recently made headlines once again. Accused of three separate shoplifting incidents, Ireland allegedly stole £459 worth of alcohol from Sainsbury’s in Coleraine only two months after his release from prison. Appearing at Ballymena Magistrates Court via video link, Ireland confirmed that he understood the charges against him. However, the police have objected to granting him bail, citing the high likelihood of reoffending. Testimony from a constable revealed that Ireland had a particular affinity for expensive vodka, which he would simply put in a bag and walk out of the store, making full admissions to the thefts. Ireland’s defense lawyer conceded that he would likely plead guilty, and would be seeking limited custody or an alternative to custody in the coming weeks. Nevertheless, Judge Nigel Broderick was hesitant to grant bail, citing Ireland’s lengthy record of previous convictions, including over a dozen for theft. The judge concluded that there was simply too high a risk of reoffending, and Ireland was remanded into custody until the next hearing on May 3.