A 21-year-old man who filled up with his car with €30 worth of diesel and drove off without paying was back before Ballina District Court this week for a probation report.
Michael Tiernan, 8 Riverside, Foxford filled his car at the pump outside Leonard’s Public House, Lahardane in February 2012. A member of the public observed the defendant drive off and took down the number plate.
According to his solicitor, 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 and adjourned the case until this week. The judge said that it was an “interesting report” and asked the defendant how he, as a diabetic, managed his pattern of heavy drinking and using cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy. “I think this young man is at risk,” the judge said, and asked that the defendant remain under the supervision of the probation service for six months. The case was adjourned until July 23 for an updated probation report.
