A 21-year-old man who filled up with his car with €30 worth of diesel and drove off without paying was before Ballina District Court this week.
Michael Tiernan, 8 Riverside, Foxford filled his car at the pump outside Leonard’s Public House, Lahardane in February of this year. A member of the public observed the defendant drive off and took down the number plate.
According to solicitor Peter Loftus, Tiernan noticed that he had a low tyre while he was filling up his car. The air pump was not working in the vicinity and so he drove off as he was concerned that the tyre would go flat.
The unemployed man has no previous convictions. A sum of €30 was handed into court to pay Leonard’s for the fuel.
Judge Mary Devins asked for a probation report. “I don’t understand the mentality here,” said Judge Devins, adjourning the case until February 12 2013.
