This article is from page 11 of the 2011-12-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
A MAN who found 42 road signs belonging to Clare County Council dumped in Ennis “threw them into” his van, a court has been told.
Patrick Ward (25), of Corrach Buí, Rahoon, Galway, was charged with handling stolen property at Ballycorey, Ennis, on November 19, 2010.
Inspector John Galvin told Ennis District Court on Friday that the accused was stopped on the road with 42 road signs belonging to the county council, which were valued at € 4,000.
“They were confiscated by gardaí and returned to the council so they are not at a loss,” said Inspector Galvin.
The court was told that the accused has several previous convictions including for theft.
Defending solicitor Tara Godfrey said that her client is currently serving a 22-month sentence in jail. She asked the court not to extend this sentence.
Judge Angela Ní Chondúin said, “He has a pretty bad record.”
Ms Godfrey told the court that the father-of-two saw the signs dumped on the Lees Road in Ennis and “threw them into the van.”
“He realises he shouldn’t have taken them,” she said, adding that her client hoped to sell them in Galway for scrap.
The judge said, “He knew what he was at. He knew the value of it.
“ Don’t be using his children as an excuse, with his track record.”
Judge Ní Chondúin imposed a 10month jail sentence, suspended for two years.
“Maybe between this and then he will learn.
“I haven’t extended his time but it is up to him if he learns. I doubt it,” added the judge.