A man who filled his car up with €50 worth of fuel and drove away without paying has been given a conditional pardon and ordered to be of good behaviour for 12 months.
Bernard McDonagh, of 2 Mons Terrace, Castlebar, came before Castlebar District Court this week on two matters.
The first matter related to April 27 when McDonagh took the fuel from Corrib Oil, Westport. He has since repaid the shop for the fuel.
The second matter related to May 22. McDonagh went into Carphone Warehouse to open an account for a free phone. He took a charger worth €24.99 from the shop without paying for it.
Solicitor for the 19-year-old, Gary Mulchrone, said the petrol theft resulted from a mix-up between his client and a friend on the day.
McDonagh told his friend to fill the car up with €15 but the friend mistakenly filled it with €50 worth of petrol. He did not have the money to pay and left the forecourt.
The theft of the charger was simply an opportunistic crime, added Mr Mulchrone.
Ordering McDonagh to enter into a probation bond, Judge Mitchell said he doubted a judge would give McDonagh another chance if he came before the court again.
