A YOUNG father who was drinking heavily while celebrating his birthday did not remember stealing a teenager's bicycle outside a supermarket.
Dean Lawlor (26) had no recollection where he put the bicycle but admitted it was him who took it when gardai showed him CCTV footage of the theft, Swords District Court has heard.
Lawlor, of Hilltown Green in Rivervalley, pleaded guilty to the unauthorised taking of the bicycle from outside Supervalu at Boroimhe in Swords on April 6.
The court heard a garda viewed CCTV footage of the theft and identified Lawlor, who has 13 previous convictions.
The judge was told the stolen bicycle was worth €399 and it was not recovered.
Defence solicitor Fiona D'Arcy said Lawlor, who started drinking the day before with friends because it was his birthday, continued drinking through the night.
"He doesn't remember taking the bicycle but he admits it was him on the footage," said Ms D'Arcy.
"He has no recollection where he put the bicycle."
She said the father-of-two, who is on disability benefit because of spinal injuries he suffered in a motorbike accident, is very sorry for his actions.
Judge Patricia McNamara said Lawlor must come up with compensation to pay the owner of the bicycle and adjourned the case until September 28 for sentencing.