Truck driver used card to steal €21k

A TRUCK driver managed to clock up diesel bills of €21,000 with a swipe card he had for use in a previous employment, Limerick District Court heard.

John Guinnane, of Castletroy View, pleaded guilty to theft from his former employers, Plassey Foods.

Det Garda David Nolan told the court that Guinnane had been employed by the Rathkeale-based company in May 2007 and his job was terminated the following July.

He worked as a truck driver with Plassey Foods and had been issued with a swipe card and PIN to access a filling station at Courtbrack Avenue, Dock Road.

After leaving the company’s employment, he held onto the swipe card, despite requests to hand it back.

Over a period between August and October 2007, Guinnane helped himself to 20,000 litres of diesel worth €21,000 with the swipe card.

The court heard he did not use the diesel himself, but friends of his filled up their vehicles.

Det Garda Nolan said Guinnane claimed he was owed €2,000 when he left his job and taking the diesel was his way of getting this back.

Judge Tom O’Donnell said it was amazing that alarm bells did not start ringing as the company’s swipe card was being used.

Adjourning the case to November, he asked for a probation report on Guinnane, who the court heard has previous convictions under the Road Traffic Act.

Judge O’Donnell said a significant amount of compensation would have to be paid.