This article is from page 14 of the 2013-01-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
A LITHUANIAN man who stole a laptop from a garage in Sixmilebridge has been fined € 250.
Deivydas Zigeus (35) took the HP laptop valued at € 500 from O’Malley Auto Marine, Cappa, Sixmilebridge on July 24 (2012).
Mr Zigeus, with an address at 133 Crann Nua, Portarlington, Laois, pleaded guilty to the charge of theft at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.
Inspector Tom Kennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the case.
After hearing an outline of the facts, Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction.
The court heard that Mr Zigeus and a friend went to the premises to have repairs carried out to a car. Insp Kennedy said that after a staff member worked on the engine, he noticed the laptop was missing.
The man suspected the two men and rang Shannon gardaí.
Gardaí called to the business and the laptop was discovered concealed in the rear foot-well of the car.
The property was returned undamaged.
Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett said his client, a former construction worker, was drunk when he committed the theft.
Mr Hassett added, “It seemed a good idea at the time. It was quite a sneaky thing to do.”
The court heard Mr Zigeus is a married father who has lived in Ireland for eight years. He has no previous convictions.
Mr Hassett said his client had been in custody for a number of days prior to his court appearance and had not liked the experience of being in prison.
Judge Durcan said Mr Zigeus used an opportunity to involve himself in a crime.
He imposed a fine of € 250.
Judge Durcan said the court abhors such crimes, which he added have become all too prevalent in Clare. AN Ennis man who admitted striking his wife with a child’s scooter has received a prison sentence. At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Thady Joyce (43), with an address at 114 Dun na hInse, Ennis, admitted to contravening a court imposed safety order, contrary to the domestic violence act. The court previously heard that Mr Joyce replied “I’m guilty” to charge after caution.”
“I want to go into custody with no intention of applying for bail,” he added.
Judge Patrick Durcan said that had been the first occasion that he had placed an accused person in custody on the application of the accused. Mr Joyce also declined the offer of legal representation and represented himself during proceedings. Inspector Tom Kennedy outlined details of the offence, which occurred on January 10. The court heard Mr Joyce smashed a number of picture frames, Waterford Crystal lamps and a flatscreen television in the house. Insp Kennedy said the accused also struck his wife with a child’s scooter.
The court heard Mr Joyce has 38 previous convictions, mainly for driving, drugs and public order offences. Insp Kennedy said the accused had no convictions under the domestic violence act. Asked by the judge if he wanted to say anything, Mr Joyce declined before adding, “I want you to sentence me and get it over with.” Judge Durcan imposed a 14-day prison sentence, backdating his order to January 11.