Shoe theft man had opposed Mugabe

A 52 year- old man who admit- ted stealing two pairs of shoes from TK Maxx had fled his native Zimbabwe after opposing its leader Robert Mugabe.

Andrew Mkwananzi of Harbour Court admitted the theft of the shoes valued at € 59.99 on June 7th 2016.

His solicitor, Mr Seamus Monaghan said the defendant had come to Ireland as a refugee in 2003 from his native Zimbabwe where he had been deeply involved in politics.

“He was a very well respected figure in politics there and he was opposed to Mugabe and had to flee,” said Mr Monaghan, who also handed in to court a number of references.

The case had been adjourned from a previous sitting for sentencing. Judge Kevin Kilrane applied the Probation Act.