Man selling stolen goods at Un-Yoke fined € 400
A 25 -YEAR-OLD Dublin man who offered stolen power tools for sale at the Sunday market in the Un-Yoke near Blackwater was dealt with at Enniscorthy District Court last week.
David McDonagh of 34 Boroimhe Hawthorn in Swords arrived late in court at Ardcavan but, when he finally did appear, he pleaded guilty to handling stolen property. A similar charge against 21 year old Thomas McDonagh of 6 Bill Shelly Park was dropped by Gardaí.
The case arose from the investigations of Garda Sergeant P.J. Griffin who fielded a call from a man called Seán Beatty on April 12 last year. The caller reported he was at the Un-Yoke and that his property, which had been stolen from a car parked at the Hermitage medical centre, was for sale at the market.
He met Beatty there and found David McDonagh with up to ¤600 illicitly acquired tools – a drill worth ¤200, drill bits worth ¤150, an ¤80 tool box and a saw reported stolen by a man called Martin McDonagh. Gardaí also seized ¤2,600 in cash.
The court was informed that the accused man had no previous convictions. He was married with a four year old child. Solicitor Caitriona Walsh added that McDonagh, unemployed, lived near his mother who was very unwell and relied on him for his support.
Judge Early told the defendant that the courts viewed such offences very seriously as, without people prepared to handle and receive stolen property, there would be fewer thefts.
He ordered David McDonagh to pay ¤600 in compensation, as well as recording a conviction with a fine of ¤ 400.
