Man stole two cans of pink gin on way to Paddy's Day party

A Donegal man who stole two cans of pink gin was on his way to a St Patrick's Day party.

Ryan Keenan, a 29-year-old with an address at Burnside Apartments in Letterkenny, appeared before Letterkenny District Court.

Keenan was charged with stealing two cans of pink gin from Aldi at Chestnut Road, Ballybofey, on March 17, 2021. The items were valued at €3.97.

Sergeant Sean McDaid told the court that Keenan was told he could not buy alcohol as it was too early in the day. He subsequently put the items in his pocket and left without paying.

Solicitor, Mr Kieran Dillon, said his client was 'forthright and upright' about the incident.

“He was invited to a party and he put these items in his pocket,” Mr Dillon said. “He has had depression and anxiety and has been under the care of the health service.”

Mr Dillon said Keenan was formerly training to become a hairdresser before a serious accident left him needing 'to find alternatives in his life'.

Noting that Aldi had been compensated, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham convicted Keenan €100 and fined him, giving him five months to pay.