Longford man given opportunity to avoid conviction

A defendant who pleaded guilty to stealing two cans of beer was given an opportunity to avoid a conviction.

Piotr Drews (41) of 20 Pearse Drive, Longford faced a charge that on November 12, 2023 at Supervalu, Hazelwood Shopping Centre, Lanesboro he stole two cans of beer valued at €5.80.

Sergeant Enda Daly told the court that at 12-noon on the date of the offence the defendant entered the supermarket and got three cans from the off-licence section and put two cans in his pocket and paid for one.

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CCTV footage was shown to Mr Drews who made full admissions. Solicitor Frank Gearty said his client had entered a plea of guilty.

The defendant paid for the can with his iPhone watch and said he thought he had paid for the three cans.

Mr Gearty said his client was “dealing with difficulty at the time”, and handed in €10 to court to go to the injured party: “Piotr is in a better place now and is in employment. He's extremely embarrassed about the incident.”

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The solicitor told Judge Bernadette Owens that his client was a man of “good character”. Judge Owens said she would put the matter back to February 4, 2025 to ensure the defendant “gets over Christmas without incident”.

The judge said if Mr Drew had €100 for the court poor box on that date she would leave him without a theft conviction.