An experienced casual trader who bought counterfeit clothing from the back of a van and tried to flog them at a market in Claregalway was fined €400 at Galway District Court on Monday.
Oliver Lambe (49 ) with an address at Ruan, Ennis, Co Clare, appeared before Judge Mary Fahy and pleaded guilty to two counts of unauthorised use of a trademark at Claregalway Corporate Park, on December 13, 2009.
Inspector Mick O’Dwyer told the court that the defendant was observed at the market in Claregalway selling clothing which was in breach of the Trademark Act. The goods, with trademarks North Face and Adidas and valued at €40 to €60, were seized by gardai.
Defence solicitor Ronan Murphy said that his client is a self-employed casual trader who has been in the business for 35 years. He added that Lambe had purchased the goods, five tracksuits and two North Face jackets, from the back of a van in Clara.
Inspector O’Dwyer then made an application for the destruction of the clothing. However, Judge Mary Fahy decided to make an order for the goods to be donated to St Vincent De Paul instead. She then convicted Lambe and fined him €400 for one count and took the second into account.
