A man who stole just over €900 worth of perfume from a Galway city shop received a four-month suspended sentence and was fined €400 at Galway District Court on Monday.
Iran national Ferhad Kadiri (27 ) with an address at 15 Clonguish Court, Newtownforbes, Longford, appeared before Judge Mary Fahy and pleaded guilty to the theft of €909 worth of perfume from Debenhams, Eyre Street, Galway on September 24, 2008.
Inspector Ernie White told the court that the defendant entered the store at 3.30pm and stole the perfume but was apprehended by security and the property was recovered. He added that Kadiri has no previous convictions.
Defence solicitor Sean Acton said that his client has been in the country for six years and has been granted asylum. Mr Acton said that the defendant accepts his role in the theft but that it was minor.
Referring to a bench warrant which had been issued, Mr Acton said that Kadiri had turned up to court for a hearing in April but was late and then chose not to deal with it as he had plans to return to Iran because of the death of his brother and the care his mother needed. However, Kadiri was arrested at the airport and was held in Cloverhill prison for five days before being granted bail. Mr Acton added that since this incident Kadiri has not come to the attention of gardai.
Inspector White then confirmed that the defendant’s wife had been in the shop and that “she may have been more culpable”. The court then heard that Kadiri has since separated from this wife.
Judge Fahy convicted Kadiri and imposed a four-month sentence suspended for 12 months on condition that he be of good behaviour and stay away from Galway city and county. He was also fined €400 and granted legal aid
