This article is from page 3 of the 2012-04-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
A MAN’S explanation for how he came to possess a stolen laptop in Ennis was described in court last week as a “cock and bull story”.
At Ennis District Court on Thursday, Shane Constable (23), with an address at 24 Toormore, Ruan, was convicted of handling a stolen Sony laptop valued at € 600, knowing that the property was stolen or being reckless as to whether it was stolen.
Detective Garda Kieran Kelleher told the court that he carried out a search under warrant of 24 Toormore, Ruan on January 7 (2012). He said he found the laptop on the floor of the accused’s bedroom.
Detective Kelleher said that Mr Constable told him that he bought the computer “off a retard in Ennis for € 100”.
Detective Kelleher told the court the laptop had been stolen from a Polish woman in Ennis.
He said he arrested Mr Constable on January 16. Mr Constable told the court that he bought the laptop from a red-haired man in Ennis who needed money to pay his rent. He said he was told the laptop was
for sale by a group of people he met in the riverwalk area of Ennis. He said he did not know any of the people in question.
Mr Constable said that he did not tell Detective Kelleher that he bought the laptop off a “retard”.
Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that Mr Constable had struck up a conversation about buying a laptop with a group of people he did not know.
He described this version of events as a “cock and bull story”.
Speaking to Mr Constable, Insp Kennedy said;
“What you are saying is nothing short of incredible.”
The court heard that the accused previously paid € 599 for a new laptop.
Judge Patrick Durcan said the issue in this case was whether or not the accused was reckless as to whether the property was stolen.
He said the fact that Mr Constable knew the value of a new laptop indicated that he was “reckless in the extreme” when he purchased the stolen item.
He said, “Dealing recklessly is an attack on every retailer.”
He fined Mr Constable € 500 and gave him six months to pay. Recognances were fixed in the event of an appeal.