A 32-year-old man who stole a €15 bottle of Jameson from a shop over three years ago has been fined €250, as a judge remarked that the whiskey was unlikely to be returned, given how long ago the theft occurred.
Clinton Martin, with an address at Newhall Court, Tallaght, Dublin 24, was charged under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act. He pleaded guilty to the theft, which occurred around 7.50pm on 15th March 2022 at Centra, Kiltalown Way, Tallaght. CCTV footage showed him removing a bottle of Jameson from a shelf and leaving without paying.
The court heard that gardaí later identified Martin and spoke to him the following day. He made admissions and apologised for his actions.
The case was heard at Tallaght District Court, where Judge Deirdre Gearty, noting the theft happened over three years ago, asked: “I suppose there’s no chance the bottle of Jameson was ever recovered?” “It’s surely long gone by now,” she added, drawing a ripple of laughter around the courtroom.
Martin’s solicitor, Jeremiah Breen, said his client is now in full-time employment and living with his partner and young twins. “He wasn’t leading his best life at the time,” he told the court.
Judge Gearty recorded a conviction and imposed a €250 fine, giving Martin five months to pay.