Thief (21) put clothes in foil-lined bag
A YOUNG man who walked around a department store placing clothes in a foil-lined bag was stopped by security staff outside the shop, a court heard.
Evan Byrne (21) was with a group of other youths at the time and security staff watched them as they walked round the shop.
Judge David McHugh convicted and fined Byrne €200.
The defendant, with addresses at Hazelwood and Ard Chualann in Bray, Co Wicklow, admitted before Blanchardstown District Court to charges of theft and possession of articles for use in a theft.
The incident took place at TK Maxx in Blanchardstown shortly after 4pm last December 9.
Sgt Mary Doherty said Byrne and a number of others walked around the store, placing items of clothing in a foil-lined bag.
She said security staff stopped Byrne outside the shop, where he was caught with the stolen clothing and a foil-lined bag.
The officer said the clothing was worth €276 and was recovered in a saleable condition.
lenient
The court heard that the defendant has 12 previous convictions, though none for theft-related matters.
Defence lawyer Ciaran MacLoughlin said Byrne is a father-of-one and has not been in trouble with the gardai since this incident.
Asking the judge to be lenient, Mr MacLoughlin said Byrne is currently completing a course in design.