A German national who absconded from a Ballina bed and breakfast without paying, and has a conviction for similar offences in Mayo last year, was given the opportunity by Judge Mary Devins to leave the jurisdiction after compensating the B&B owner or face six months in jail.
Ralph Tillman, of no fixed abode, stayed for nine nights until March 19 2009 in Brigown B&B, Quay Road, Ballina, where he ran up a bill of €360. The owner of the property, Marjorie Nolan, sought payment during the defendant’s stay but Tillman came up with excuses, before he left.
Tillman, who has a previous conviction also for not paying for B&Bs ,told the court that “I will go back to Germany next month”. Solicitor Marc Loftus said that the unemployed man was apologetic and will pay the money owed after he gets a job in Germany.
Judge Mary Devins said that the defendant was “costing the State a lot of money, and business people like Marjorie Nolan a lot of money”. The judge convicted and sentenced Tillman to six months in prison with the warrant not to be executed on the condition that he leaves the jurisdiction on or before May 15 2009 and that €360 be paid to Mrs Nolan.
