A 24-year-old man who pretended to collect money for a charity walk, when in fact he was collecting the money so he could buy alcohol, was sentenced to 200 hours of community service at Tuesday’s sitting of Ballina District Court.
At a previous sitting the court heard that on September 28 2011 at 4pm a report was made to gardaí in Ballina regarding suspicious activities of men who were collecting money in the Bohernasup area.
Gardaí located the men, one was Martin Lawrence, 13 Cul na Gara, Teeling Street, Ballina. The defendant admitted he had gone to Ballina Library to use the computer, where he made up a fake sponsorship card for a fake walk which he said he would take part in, all in aid of Parkside Youth Club. Altogether €17 was collected.
Solicitor for Lawrence, John Gordon said the single, unemployed, man, who has 10 previous convictions, had been to prison before and was “fairly afraid” of going back again. Mr Gordon said his client got the idea to collect the money as he had taken part in a charity walk some years ago. The money has been refunded. The solicitor said his client had a limited education and an issue with alcohol.
Judge Mary Devins remanded Lawrence on continuing bail to January 24 for a community service assessment report. On Tuesday, Lawrence was convicted and sentenced to a total of 200 hours of community service in lieu of six months in prison.
