Accepted conviction rather than pay €300 in compensation

MARTIN HARTIGAN (20) from 33 Cluain Dara, Enniscorthy preferred to accept a theft conviction rather than pay compensation to the owner of the phone that he took in a Wexford pub.

The defendant was intoxicated when he stole the Samsung Galaxy belonging to Sheena Hanley at Billy Kelly’s on December 22 last.

In the District Court, he entered a plea of guilty and his solicitor Ed King stated that his client thought the phone belonged to a friend.

Judge Gerard Haughton also learned that Hartigan left school at the age of 15 and that he was unemployed though hopeful of gaining employment.

The judge indicated that the benefit of the Probation Act would be applied if €300 compensation was paid to the injured party.

However, the accused told Mr King that he would prefer to accept a conviction, which came with a €200 fine.

Six months were allowed for payment of this sum.