Car battery thief “cruising” estates to steal scrap metal

A man accused of stealing a car battery from the side of a house in Ballisodare claimed a lot of people were “grateful” for his efforts.

“I just drive around all estates looking for aluminium, copper and scrap,” Michael Sweeney told the District Court.

“I did knock on the door. A lot of people does be grateful [ sic]. I’ve come across a lot of batteries. You don’t want to leave the batteries around the back because there’s acid in them. It’s dangerous for children,” he added.

Sweeney ( 40) of Old Bundoran Road, Rathbraughan, pleaded guilty to theft at 4 Salmon Court, Ballisodare on July 14th 2016.

Inspector Paul Kilcoyne told the court that it was a battery worth ¤ 140.

“The injured party had bought a battery in Halfords and had left it at the side of his house. Opportunistically, the defendant saw the battery and took it,” he told Judge Kevin Kilrane. Mr Mark Mullaney, defending, said his client was looking for scrap on the day in question and admitted he was in the area.

“He assumed it was scrap. He took it. He didn’t enter the house. There was nobody in the house so Mr Sweeney wasn’t able to knock on the door to find out if it was scrap,” he said.

Judge Kilrane said the reality is Sweeney was “cruising around alright” and considered that fact was very serious.

“He was looking for what he could steal in the area. People are warned about the likes of you, cruising around estates and then there’s a half innocent explanation given,” he said.

He convicted Sweeney of theft and fined him ¤ 500. Sweeney said the money would be in court by May 4th.

“If you come before the court again cruising around in your car looking for scrap it’ll be dealt with much more harshly,” warned the judge.