This article is from page 16 of the 2013-03-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
A TATTOO artist has received a six month suspended sentence for his role in an incident that saw a car set ablaze outside an unoccupied house in Ennis three years ago.
Siegfried Avenstrup (23) acted as lookout when the grey Suzuki car was damaged by fire at 6 St Anne’s Terrace, Clon Road, Ennis on December 9, 2009.
Mr Avenstrup, with former addresses at Lios an Cnoic, Barnaderg, Tuam, Galway and Laurel Lodge, Ennis, pleaded guilty last month to a charge of criminal damage.
A jury last month unanimously found Mr Avenstrup not guilty of a charge of damaging the house by arson.
He was one of three people who were on the premises when the incident occurred.
Garda Emmet Roche of Ennis Garda Station told the court that Mr Avenstrup and two others had come to the house with the intention of stealing the car.
When they discovered the car was incapable of being stolen, the court heard, a decision was made to set the car on fire.
There was no engine in the car, which was valued at € 500.
The court heard that Mr Avenstrup was part of the decision to set the car on fire.
The court heard that the car had been parked at the house to give the impression the premises was occupied as homeless people had been entering the house.
Garda Roche said the accused was subsequently arrested and made full admissions.
The court heard Mr Avesntrup is originally from South Africa and had lived in Sixmilebridge. He is currently leasing a tattoo parlour.
Counsel for Mr Avesntrup, Pat Whyms BL, said his client had not wanted any part in stealing the car.
He said his client acted as lookout while other people set fire to the car.
Mr Whyms said his client “strongly apologises” to the owner of the car that was damaged.
He added, “He greatly regrets his involvement in this activity on that night.”
Judge Gerard Keyes said Mr Avenstrup had shown a “complete lack of respect” to the owner’s property.
Judge Keyes said that while the accused was not involved in the burning of the car, he participated in an important aspect of the offence, that of lookout.
He said the law regards a person who acts as lookout to be as important as the person who burns the property.
He imposed a six-month sentence, suspending it for one year.
Mr Avenstrup was also ordered by the judge to pay compensation of € 200 to the car owner within six months.