Offaly conservation enthusiast admits theft at refugee building

A man interested in conservation admitted trespass and theft at a building in Clara which will be used for accommodating refugees.

Tullamore District Court was told by defending solicitor Aisling Maloney that Luke Mitchell (47), Kilcoursey, Clara, had been at Inchmore House on May 9 last to have “a look around”.

Sergeant Brendan Kearns said that an intruder was seen on CCTV at 10.15pm and with the assistance of the injured party Mr Mitchell was apprehended by the gardai.

Mr Mitchell was found to be in possession of a balaclava, a head torch and gloves and also had screws, nails and Rawl plugs which had been stolen.

Sergeant Kearns said Mr Mitchell's only previous conviction was for a road traffic offence in 2011.

Ms Maloney said her client disputed the previous conviction but accepted the facts as presented to the court.

She explained that Mr Mitchell's property was beside the property in question in a rural area of Clara.

The property beside him was undergoing construction for use as an IPAS (International Protection Accommodation Service) centre and a millrace ran between the two properties.

Mr Mitchell was interested in conservation and the natural habitat and had worked with the OPW on protected species.

He was extremely concerned about what was going on around him and the development next door wasn't open to public inspection and the planning permission could not be examined.

On the night he entered the property to have a look around because he was quite curious.

He worked around his own property and garden late at night and was a beekeeper, hence his use of a head torch.

Detailing his huge passion for work on conservation and the natural habitat, Ms Malone said he had worked to reestablish the millrace and otters were now taking advantage of it, along with pine martens.

“Did he find many pine martens inside with his balaclava on?” asked Judge Cody. He said what he was hearing was “nonsense”.

Ms Maloney further explained that on the night in question a tree had fallen across the millrace and he used it to go across to have a look at the other property.

She said Mr Mitchell did take a particular interest in his local area and he had previously objected to a planning application on natural heritage grounds.

He had seen parties, perhaps with “nefarious intent” passing through the neighbouring property so he went to look there.

Of the three buildings on the property he had entered only one and he passed by a number of valuable items such as a drill and saws.

He saw a scattering of nails on the property and did put them into his pocket. The guards had said they were of negligible value.

He was deeply affected by the offence and fully accepted the owner of the property had been inconvenienced and was fully accepted to earn his living.

Ms Maloney said he had brought €1,000 to court to compensate the owner and he would like to be left with no conviction by the court.

Judge Cody convicted Mr Mitchell and imposed a fine of €500, giving the man five months to pay. He fixed recognisances for an appeal.