Man who admitted not paying for €8 taxi fare in Dundalk sentenced
Judge Nicola Andrews, imposing the sentence, said "I don't like this business of people getting in taxis and not paying for them".
A 32-year-old man who admitted not paying an €8 taxi fare, was sentenced to a month at Dundalk district court last week.
The Defence solicitor explained to Judge Nicola Andrews when his client's case was called that a date for a contested hearing had previously been fixed for October, but he had got updated instructions to mark a (guilty) plea.
He added that Cian Kearney of Oldbridge, Toberona, Dundalk was anxious to progress matters as quickly as possible.
Sgt Richie Browne said that the only charge that remained was making off without payment on Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk on April 13th 2024.
He added a more serious charge had been withdrawn and while a victim impact statement had been canvassed, it was not forthcoming.
Mr Kearney had previously admitted making a payment of €44.75 for goods with a stolen debit card at Applegreen, Inner Relief Road, Dundalk on April 12th 2024, and handling stolen property (a debit card) at the same date at the same location.
He was also prosecuted for handling another individual's stolen debit card and with making two further payments of goods with a stolen credit card, for amounts of €3.20 and €49.80 at the same premises on the same date.
He was further charged with stealing a can of Red Bull and chicken goujons worth €9.20 at Mace, Castletown Road, Dundalk on August 21st 2024.
The court heard Mr Kearney had been through the full residential treatment programme at Cuan Mhuire in Athy and had recently become a father.
Judge Andrews, in imposing the sentence, noted the progress he has made in prison and congratulated the accused on becoming a father and completing the rehab programme, but warned him "I don't like this business of people getting in taxis and not paying for them".