Two men involved in the “mean” and “sinister” theft from a number of cars during the Triathlone last July will have to come up with €2,000 each in compensation before next March 3 to avoid a jail sentence.
In a crime that threw a pall over Athlone’s biggest day of the year, Stephen Furey (19 ) from Bastion Street and Peter Jones (24 ),with an address on Retreat Road but now living in Edgeworthstown went onto the grounds of the Shamrock Lodge Hotel on July 17 and stole electronic goods, cash and sports equipment worth €780 from five of the participants’ cars.
In court on Wednesday (October 7 ), Judge Conal Gibbons was told how Detective Garda Tom Higgins, acting on information received, went to an address on Bastion Street on July 18 and arrested Furey in posession of all of the stolen goods, with the exception of a satellite navigation device worth €380.
The court heard from their respective solicitors that both were extremely drunk at the time, but had not used any other intoxicants. They had brought €300 and €950 in compensation to court respectively.
“I wouldn’t be giving them any Brownie points for incompetence,” said the judge.
“There was something mean about this act. I’m sure they [the victims] would survive without them [stolen items] but having their cars and property interfered with makes them feel uneasy because of your clients doing their unlawful business.
“Athlone is one of the biggest tourist centres in Ireland and long may that last.
“There’s something troubling about your clients interfering with people coming to enjoy the facilities of the town.
“Is this your clients diving into the waters of criminality?”
The court heard how Furey had no previous convictions, Jones only the one and that neither had come to Garda attention since.
Both defendants made full admissions and co-operated fully with Gardai, the court was told.
“I can only imagine the outrage of the hotel at this sinister act,” said the judge.
“Any young fellow could get caught up in drink and drugs like this, but this is unusual.
“They went into the car park as if they’d planned it. A conspiracy, in fact, to carry out this act.
“My first reaction was to impose a custodial sentence but I think I’ll make it expensive. Give them a chance - time or money.”
He ordered both to come up with €2,000 each and gave them a year to come up with the money.
“If you don’t want to come up with the money I can accommodate you both free gratis,” Judge Gibbons warned.
He adjourned the case until March 3, and accepted Furey’s €300 and Jones’s €950 as initial downpayments on their compensation orders.
