This article is from page 24 of the 2012-09-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 24 JPG
A LIMERICK man, who stole a television and games console from a hotel in Lahinch and then promptly returned them, has been ordered to make a contribution to the court poor box.
Christopher Murphy (41) was told by a judge that he had engaged in “bizarre” behaviour in the seaside town last year.
At Ennis District Court on Wednesday Mr Murphy, with an address at 2 Sheelin Drive, Caherdavin, Limerick, pleaded guilty to stealing a Black Phillips flat screen TV valued at € 500 and a Nintendo Wii valued at € 200 from the West Coast Lodge, Lahinch, on November 26, 2011.
Inspector John Galvin said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the case. Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction.
Insp Galvin told the court that the manager of the hotel contacted gardaí alleging that the accused had taken the television and games console from the hotel. The court heard that Mr Murphy had checked into the hotel under the name John Ryan.
Insp Galvin said Mr Murphy drove back to the hotel a few hours later and returned the property.
Mr Murphy admitted to gardaí that he had taken the property.
Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett said his client had been staying in the hotel with his partner.
He said Mr Murphy didn’t know why he stole the items.
“It was a spur of the moment thing,” he added.
Mr Hassett told the court that Mr Murphy had become involved in a “show of bravado” with another guest, after which he drove of with the television and the Wii.
Inspector John Galvin described the sequence of events as “very unusual”. Judge Patrick Durcan said, “This was bizarre behaviour.” He ordered Mr Murphy to pay € 250 to the court poor box. The case was adjourned to October 24.