'Starsky and Hutch' - two men got into an unattended patrol van in Dundalk

Gardaí attending a separate incident in the centre of the town, returned to find two south Armagh men sitting in the front of their patrol van, Dundalk district court was told last week.

Conall Rice (20) of Faughiletra Road, Jonesborough and Colm Downey (25) of Lower Faughil Road, Jonesborough were both charged with getting into the vehicle, the property of An Garda Siochana on February 2nd last.

When Colm Downey's case was called the Defence solicitor said a guilty plea was being entered, adding "It's an usual situation".

Sgt. Richie Brown outlined how gardai were responding to a separate incident on River Lane, Dundalk around 3.30am and had left the official patrol vehicle unattended.

They returned to find Mr Downey sitting in the front of the van and he appeared to find it funny as he was laughing and smiling.

Judge Nicola Andrews replied "He's definitely not laughing and smiling now Sergeant".

The solicitor stressed his client had no previous convictions and described it as a spur of the moment decision and a foolish thing to do.

He replied "He wasn't" when Judge Andrews asked "Was he looking for a lift?".

The solicitor said Mr Downey had been drinking all day and having worked in Australia has aspirations to go to America.

The court was told it was an identical situation in Conall Rice's case, with Sgt Brown saying "one was 'the driver' and one was playing passenger" and said if they want to apply to join the guards he would direct them to apply through the proper channels.

The cases were put back to second calling so both men could each make a €500 donation to the court community fund, and when they were recalled, Judge Andrews called them Starsky and Hutch and applied the Probation Act.