This article is from page 12 of the 2005-10-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
A MEMBER of the travelling community with 25 previous convictions has been jailed for nine months for stealing two ham joints from a truck in Shannon.
Father-of-eight Timothy Joyce, of Bal- lymurtagh halting site in Shannon denied stealing the hams – valued at €35 each – at Smithstown Industrial Estate in Shannon on May 31 of this year.
He also denied stealing 48 yoghurts, 15 packets of rashers, 10lbs of sausages and 24 bottles of Yop yoghurt.
Witness Tony Mulcahy told Ennis district court he returned to his business premises at around 9pm on the night in question. He noticed a red van parked in a cul de sac and pulled in behind the van. He said he saw a “young fella” jumping out of a truck, carry- ing two trays of yoghurt. The accused, Tim- othy Joyce, he said, was sitting in the van.
“Mr [Timothy] Joyce asked me to move. He said he was after catching a young fella stealing yoghurts,’ said Mr Mulcahy.
Gerard Shanahan told the court he ran a cold meats business in Shannon. He was alerted to some activity at his premises
on the night in question. When he arrived there, he found the back door of his truck forced open and goods, including sausages, bacon and yoghurt, lying close to the truck.
Defending solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client was collecting waste chipboard, from a unit. Garda Stephen Elvins said he re- ceived a call to go to Smithstown.. He said Timothy Joyce, a teenager and two children were at the scene. Products were strewn on the floor, between the truck and Mr Joyce’s Web
Mr Joyce’s vehicle was seized and two large hams were found in the back of it. In
reply to caution, Mr Joyce, said, “I don’t know a thing about it.”
Ms Godfrey said she was applying for direction, pointing out that evidence was heard that a young person stole some of the items and that the State had not proved it was the accused.
Judge Mangan said he was amending the charge, to exclude the rashers, sausages, yo- ghurts and Yops, but said the accused had a case to answer, relating to the ham joints.
He found him guilty and imposed a nine month jail term. The judge fixed recogni- sances, totalling €3,000.