‘Use €300 on your children’

A man who came to meet his case with €300 for charity has been told to keep the money and spend it on his children.

Judge Coughlan said he was ‘very sympathetic’ towards Joseph Lawrence (39), The Grove, Seatown Park, Swords.

He admitted taking goods valued €151 from TK Maxx, Drogheda Retail Park on 31 January last.

Solicitor Dermot Monahan said his client has engaged with the probation service and accepted responsibility. He was back on his medication.

Lawrence has a young family, Mr Monahan continued, and is on the ‘ lowest rung of the social ladder’.

The judge applied the probation act.

‘I’m very sympathetic. I’m not taking the €300. Use it on your children,’ he told the defendant.