Dundalk man charged in connection with theft of car given suspended sentence
A man charged in connection with the theft of an Audi taken from outside the owner’s house and the use of a stolen bank card at a local Applegreen, was given a six month suspended sentence at Dundalk District Court last week.
Craig Keenan (20) with an address at Belfry Avenue, St. Alphonsus Road, Dundalk was charged with the unlawful use of the car, and with driving without insurance or a driving licence at Earl Place, Mounthamilton on August 6th last.
He was also prosecuted for handling stolen property, an AIB debit card at Applegreen, Newry Road, Dundalk and making gain or causing loss by deception on the same date.
The court heard Gardai who were investigating the report of the unauthorised taking, were flagged down by a woman who reported that her bank card, which had been in her partner’s vehicle in a different part of Mounthamilton, was used to make purchases of €30.05 at Applegreen at 3.59am.
The defendant had 29 previous convictions including theft.
The Defence barrister said the offending happened during a period when his client had a difficulty with drugs but he added he is now an enhanced prisoner and is now on a drug-free ‘working wing’ having engaged in drug rehabilitation while in custody.
Judge Eirinn McKiernan noted there were similar offences ‘over and over again' and Mr Keenan told the court he had been assessed a few days earlier for the Coolmine residential treatment centre.
He said he was hoping to get a place in three or four months' time saying “I’m just waiting for a bed”.
The judge noted it had previously been indicated that there were other parties involved.
Court presenter Sgt. Laura Blanch suggested that the case be put back to see if Mr. Keenan obtained a treatment place “if he’s only at the assessment stage”.
Judge McKiernan imposed a six month sentence, suspended for 18 months on his own bond of €200 subject to the 20 year old engaging with the Probation Service and entering rehabilitation once it becomes available and addressing the defendant said “It’s a matter for you now”.