A man who stole a woman’s purse in what the judge described as “a mean, opportunistic crime”, was fined €400 in the District Court this week (September 14 ).
Karl Byrne (23 ), an aircraft apprentice from Montpelier Drive, Dublin 7 - in Athlone for the Walderstown Races - was drinking in Nuts Corner, Mardyke Street, on the night of July 10 when he took the purse belonging to Aideen Doyle in which there was just under €130.
Inspector Aidan Minnock told the court that Byrne was identified with the aid of CCTV and “later apprehended with the cash on him”.
“Judge, my client has no recollection of the event,” said solicitor John Keogh.
“Was the money refunded?” asked Judge Seamus Hughes.
“Yes, judge,” replied Inspector Minnock, who told the court that Byrne had four previous convictions for criminal damage and public order in Dublin.
Mr Keogh explained how his client was an apprentice mechanic and had recently secured a contract with Lufthansa Technics.
“He acknowledges he has a drink problem and it is being addressed,” said Mr Keogh, who asked the judge if he could deal with the offence by way of a compensation order.
“I’m sorry. I won’t,” said the judge.
“It was an opportunistic, mean crime. I don’t know how much effort Ms Doyle had made to make €129,” he said.
“You’ve got to start to grow up. You’re a man of talents,” he advised the defendant.
Mr Keogh explained to the judge how his client was worried a conviction might “limit his possibility of working outside the jurisdiction”, but the judge said it wouldn’t.
He convicted Byrne, fined him €400, and gave him three months to pay.
