Offaly man stole industrial batteries from different locations and sold them to scrapyard

An Offaly man pleaded guilty to stealing industrial batteries from two different locations and selling them to a scrapyard, during a recent sitting of Tullamore Court.

Patrick Guinan, Mayfield House, Lemonaghan, Ballycumber was charged with committing trespass and theft on the 18th of January last at a premises called the Ridge Of Capard, in the Rosenallis area of Laois.

“CCTV footage at the scrapyard,” said Sgt Brendan Kearns, “showed the defendant selling the batteries, which were worth €1,000, to the scrapyard for €100.”

The Sergeant added that on a date unknown between January 1, 2024 and January 28, 2024, Guinan committed trespass and theft of industrial batteries in a building in Killeigh, Offaly, and CCTV showed him selling the stolen items to a scrapyard for €90.

Barrister David Nugent said his client is 40 years of age and is employed as a Service Engineer.

“When these incidents took place Mr Guinan was in the throes of a cocaine addiction, an addiction which led him down this desperate path, a path which was very much out of character. He has brought with him to court this morning €600 in compensation, and he apologises for his actions. He deeply regrets what he did and is deeply ashamed of it.”

Judge Andrew Cody said it was a serious offence. He adjourned the case to December 11.

“If your client donates €1,000 to the Acorn Project in Edenderry by that date then I will issue the Probation Act.”