‘Pay it, or you are dead meat’ - judge tells man accused of stealing from club

A 29-year-old man who stole €11,000 from Drogheda Gardening Club, has been warned he will get a ‘considerable’ jail sentence if all compensation is not paid by 27 July next.

‘Pay it, or you are dead meat,’ Judge Coughlan told Juan Jose Padilla Alegria from Monasterboice

Evidence was given that the accused’s foster mother, who had nothing to do with this, was treasurer of the club, and he took a cheque book and wrote four cheques.

The offences, contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Theft and Fraud Act, occurred over a month and a half on dates between 1 August, 2016 and 20 September, 2016.

Barrister Irene Sands said €2,200 compensation is being held by her client’s solicitor, which she said is a considerable amount for the defendant who is unemployed.

However, he is due to start a job.

The case was adjourned.