Tools worth €5,000 in van stolen from outside Offaly pub
Vehicle crashed and €3,000 worth of damage caused to it
TOOLS worth €5,000 were in a van which was stolen from outside an Offaly pub on October 26 last, Tullamore District Court heard.
Michael McDonagh (29), St Cormac's Park, Kilcormac pleaded guilty to taking a vehicle without the consent of the owner Stephen Healy at The Thatch, Loughroe, Rahan when he appeared before Judge Fiona Brennan.
Sergeant Richard Thornton said the theft of the 151 registered vehicle occurred at 10.25pm at The Thatch pub and €3,000 worth of damage was done to the van when it was recovered after a crash.
Sergeant Thornton added that €1,600 in compensation had already been paid to the injured party and 95% of the tools which were in the van were recovered.
Judge Brennan was also told that Mr McDonagh made full admissions when he was in custody.
He had previous convictions for theft, assault causing harm, drink-driving, dangerous driving and violent disorder.
Sergeant Thornton said a number of sentences had been imposed on the man, including a suspended sentence of one year, and he had also previously been disqualified from driving for two years.
Defending solicitor Aisling Maloney said Mr McDonagh, a man who was on a disability payment, had nonetheless paid the compensation and added that a co-accused was due to come to court in the new year.
Sergeant Thornton said a file in relation to that was being prepared by the gardai.
Asked by Judge Brennan why her client had committed the offence, Ms Maloney said he had taken alcohol on the night despite being on medication for depression and while he was a social drinker, he now understood he should not drink while on the medication.
He had not drunk any alcohol since the night of the offence.
Judge Brennan said a lot of people drink alcohol to excess and do not get involved in what Mr McDonagh had done.
Ms Maloney said Mr McDonagh, a father of three, accepted what he had done was wrong and foolish and while he had already paid half the compensation due, a further sum would be paid if such circumstances were to arise.
Judge Brennan said she would remand Mr McDonagh on continuing bail for a probation report and he would have to pay another €1,400 because the court had to deal with the matter in the manner it found it.
Ms Maloney said her client would pay the money and the judge then ordered the preparation of a victim impact statement and a probation report and remanded the accused to appear in court again on February 26 next.