Thief will avoid jail if he pays for goods he stole

A 32-YEAR-OLD man who repeatedly called to a hardware store to steal chippings, fence posts and fence making equipment was told that he will avoid jail if he pays for the goods he removed.

Michael Doyle from Ballysheen in Killinick was caught at Bolger’s Hardware in Ballycogley after the security alarm summoned gardaí to the premises on November 20 back in 2015.

They arrived to find Doyle’s car at the gate and they spotted the defendant climbing over the back fence and making off across open country.

He was eventually picked up four fields away.

A trawl back through CCTV footage showed that the same culprit was responsible for three previous thefts and the total value of items taken came to €517.

Defending solicitor John O’Donovan said that the defendant intended using what he took for fencing in his animals.

The case was delayed by the failure of the accused man to show up in court and a warrant was issued on a previous occasion as a result.

Mr O’Donovan stressed that Doyle had found his time in custody at Cloverhill Prison after he was arrested a sobering experience.

Judge Gerard Haughton indicated that he was prepared to make out a community service order requiring the accused to carry out 200 hour of work in lieu of six months imprisonment.

However, first Doyle must come up with the €517 for Bolger’s by September.

On that basis, the matter was adjourned for a community service report.