Thieves out of luck as loot bulldozed

December 1985

Three men who stole property from holiday homes in the Tacumshane area later buried the loot in a field.

But Wexford District Court was told that when they later took Gardaí to where the cache had been hidden, they discovered the ground had since been bulldozed.

And the goods, household and personal effects valued at more than £4,000, were unrecoverable.

The robberies at two mobile homes owned by Dublin families were carried out between 4th and 23rd September by [NAMES WITHEHLD] from Tomhaggard and Broadway. They pleaded guilty to the offences, and the court was told they had a large amount of drink taken at the time.

Supt. John Gurhy said that when the three were interviewed by Gardaí, they were most co-operative. He added that the offences seemed very out of character as none of the three men had ever been in trouble before.

Supt. Gurhy said the property stolen was worth £4,501.76p and the men are now making restitution at the rate of £20 per week each from their pay packets.

Mr Jimmy Murphy, solicitor, told District Justice Dunleavy the three men were of excellent previous character. They would not have committed these crimes if they were sober. He said they were very sorry and apologised deeply to the owners of the mobile homes.

Justice Dunleavy said he was glad to hear restitution is being made and in view of this and the men’s previous good character, he would deal with the matter by way of fines instead of sentences.

He fined the three men £80 each.