Probation Act applied for man who stole bicycle outside County Kildare pub

A Kildare judge applied the Probation Act for a man who stole a bicycle from outside a pub in County Kildare.

It was heard at Naas District Court on Thursday, September 14, that the man denied ever taking the bike, despite being identified at the scene of the crime by CCTV.

Gardaí added that the bike, which cost around €400, was never recovered.

Solicitor Tim Kennelly told Judge Desmond Zaidan that the man's case had been adjourned a number of times.

He added that his client genuinely believed that he was innocent of the offence, saying: "He always puts his hands up whenever he is wrong."

In response, Judge Zaidan said: "We here all know him, he is up and down here."

He said that due to the man's history of mental health difficulties, that 'there would be no point in sending him to prison.'

The judge added: "He has bigger fish to fry."

Judge Zaidan applied the Probation Act on the man, and asked gardaí to explain to the injured party his reasoning behind applying the Act on the man.