Two men who pleaded guilty to attempting to steal diesel from a farmyard were both convicted and fined at Ballyhaunis District Court this week.
Tom Maughan of Ballymote Road, Charlestown, Co Mayo was convicted and fined €500 for a section 11 theft and had a three month prison sentence imposed which was suspended for 12 months. His accomplice John Paul McDonagh of Ballinveher, Swinford, Co Mayo was convicted and fined €500 for a section four theft offence and had the suspension on a three month prison sentence he was serving revoked and was sentenced and another three months sentence to be served consecutively. He was also convicted and fined €500 and banned from driving for one year for not having insurance.
The court was told that on February 23 2008 both men entered onto a farmyard at Agataboy, Kilkelly, Co Mayo, and attempted to steal some diesel; they were confronted by the owner who had called the gardaí. The gardaí arrived on the scene and arrested the two men who admitted to trying to take the diesel and John Paul McDonagh also admitted to having no insurance on his vehicle on the date in question.
