Dad bought €5k stolen generator for just €150

A father of five who bought a generator worth €5,000 for €150 from a man who came into his yard knew it was a bargain but did not ask any questions about where it came from, a court heard.

Stephen Collins (35) was caught by detectives, as the generator had a tracker on it and gardaí had a rough idea of where the piece of equipment was located.

Judge Shalom Binchy imposed a four-month sentence which she suspended for 18 months.

Collins, with an address at Avilla Park, Finglas, admitted possession of a stolen generator at his home on April 17 last year.

Sergeant Eoin Twomey told Blanchardstown District Court that he took a report of a burglary which had taken place at a building site in Cabra, where a generator worth €5,000 was stolen.

Sgt Twomey said he obtained a warrant and searched the defendant’s home later that day. He met the defendant, who immediately showed him the generator.

Sgt Twomey said the generator was undamaged and was returned to its rightful owner.

The court heard that Collins had six previous convictions, mostly for road traffic matters.

Simon Fleming, defending, said gardaí knew the rough location of the generator as there was a tracker on it.

He said gardaí called into his client’s yard, and he immediately handed the generator over to them. Mr Fleming said Collins bought the generator from an unknown male who came into the yard, and offered it to him for €150.

He said the generator was an item which Collins, a father of five, could use, and he foolishly bought it because it was a bargain, and he didn’t ask too many questions about it.

Mr Fleming asked the judge to be as lenient as possible, saying Collins had co-operated fully with gardaí.