A man who helped himself to scrap metal at the Docks was fined €300 at Galway District Court this week.
Martin Mongan (33 ) with an address at 19 Lios Laisil, Ballybrit, appeared before Judge Conal Gibbons last Monday and pleaded guilty to theft on July 7, 2009,
Inspector Ernie White told the court that at 5.15pm there had been a report of a suspicious male at the Docks who had been seen interfering with scrap metal. When gardai arrived the man was observed loading the scrap metal into the boot of his car. When questioned Mongan told gardai that he had permission from the Galway Metal Company to take the metal. Gardai discovered metal to the value of €20 in the defendant’s car and that he did not have permission. Inspector White added that Mongan had 22 previous convictions, all for road traffic offences.
The defendant’s solicitor pointed out that the amount of metal was small and that Mongan accepts that he was at fault. Mongan claimed that he thought it was a rubbish heap and that he was entitled to get rid of anything there.
“He is obviously a scrap metal dealer,” said Judge Gibbons who was then told that Mongan was unemployed.
Judge Gibbons convicted and fined Mongan €300 with three months to pay.
