Ex- rugby pro gets 5 months in prison

A former professional English and Welsh rugby player has been sentenced to five months in prison for stealing from supermarkets and petrol stations.

Sean Dromey ( 48) of Tae Road, Cuskinny, Cobh, Co. Cork, was charged with theft at Dunnes Stores, Bishop’s Court, Bishopstown, Cork on September 14th 2011 and theft from Tesco in 2012.

He was also accused of other charges, such as failing to appear at Dun Laoghaire District Court, Bandon District Court and other road traffic offences.

The Court heard that the father- of- four was currently serving a five month sentence imposed at Cork District Court for driving without insurance. He was due for release May 27th next.

Mr Gerard McGovern, defending, told the court that Dromey was addicted to alcohol but had been alcohol- free for the past three years. “He played rugby for Swansea but his career finished at an early age, his marriage broke down, he suffered a heart attack and spent a considerable amount of time in prison,” he said.

“He filled up in petrol and drove away,” he added. Judge Kilrane sentenced Dromey to five months in prison for three theft offences, all to run concurrently. He also disqualified Dromey from driving for 15 years.