He appeared at Cork District Court by video link from prison, and pleaded guilty to two counts of handling stolen property, namely a JVC car radio and an assortment of tools.

Judge Catherine Ryan imposed a total sentence of five months, with the last two months suspended.

Mr Burke said of the accused: “He was in a very bad state at the time. So much so that he told me he woke up in prison and he did not even know how he got there.

“He is back on methadone now and is in a much better place. He comes from a very good background in Passage West. He had been making big efforts to get himself into Coolmine. He has to, and more importantly, he wants to.” 

As well as handling stolen property, Seán Keogh also admitted failing to appear in court to face charges on two occasions.

Sergeant John Dineen said: “On February 21, Garda Shane Halligan received a call to go Harrington Square, Old Youghal Road, Cork, as there was a group of people trying to get into a van.

“The van was unlocked and appeared to have been ransacked and the car radio appeared to be missing 

“Sean Keogh was seen in the area carrying two shopping bags. He was carrying bags containing a car radio and an assortment of tools. Mr Keogh said he did not steal them but that he found them on Harrington Square by parked cars and that he took them in the hope of selling them.” 

Ultimately, he pleaded guilty to knowingly having stolen property or being reckless as to whether he had stolen property.