A man who brazenly stole expensive work tools from an industrial store room in broad daylight and tried to fool a discount retail shop by swapping tags on runners was sentenced to three months.
Marius State (33 ) with an address at 142 Tirellan Heights, Headford Road, was brought before Judge Mary Fahy at Galway District Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to stealing a spit nail gun, worth €600, and a De Walt planer, worth €300, from Caulfield Industrial, Oranmore Business Park, on June 25, 2009, and to the theft of footwear at TK Max, Bothar Na Mban, on November 27, 2009.
Garda Paul Keane gave evidence that the manager of Caulfield Industrial called to a Garda station reporting a theft. CCTV footage showed three males entering the store the day before at 3pm and taking the nail gun and planer. The defendant was then tracked down and charged.
On November 27, at 7.45pm gardai received a call from TK Max security regarding the theft of a pair of runners. CCTV footage showed the defendant swapping a €31 tag and putting on runners which cost €109. While accompanied by another man the defendant paid €31 for the runners before leaving the store. State was later arrested and charged. The court then heard that State has three previous convictions, all for theft.
Defence solicitor Adrian MacLynn said that both the thefts were motivated by financial difficulties. He added that State, a Romanian national who is married with three children, and works as a part-time cleaner would “be able to make good the loss to Caulfields”.
Regarding the nail gun and planer theft Judge Fahy asked if these “valuable items” were stolen for order. Inspector Ernie White replied that State’s address was searched but that the items were not recovered.
After conferring with his client Mr MacLynn explained that the items had been sold on by State for €300 to buy food.
“It’s ridiculous, he got his chance,” said Judge Fahy before imposing three months in jail. Leave to appeal was granted.
