Man stole €2,500 of metal

A JUDGE has told a district court he should be entitled to hang a €100 note from his front gate and come back in a month and still find it there.

Judge Michael Pattell made his comments at Midleton District Court where a man was convicted of stealing €2,500 worth of metal from an ESB station compound in Co Cork.

Michael Keenan, 28, of Inchera Lawn, Mahon, Co Cork was sentenced to four months in prison. He pleaded guilty to the theft.

The court heard Keenan admitted taking the metal from an ESB station compound at Knockraha, Co Cork to Garda Liam O’Leary on May 8, 2010, after Garda O’Leary approached him on the side of the road.

Keenan was having trouble with his vehicle due to a puncture. Garda O’Leary suspected the load had been stolen, Inspector Edward Golden told the court.

Keenan then dropped the metal back.

Solicitor for Keenan, Joe Cudigan, said as far as Keenan was concerned it was abandoned material and he was doing the ESB a favour by taking it away.

“The gate was open,” said Mr Cudigan. Keenan drove back to the ESB and put the metal back, he said.

Mr Cudigan said as far as Keenan was concerned the value of the load was around €150.

“He cooperated fully with the gardaí and made a full cautioned statement,” said Mr Cudigan.

But Judge Pattwell said value did not have a lot to do with it.

“It’s the intent to deprive somebody else of their property ... that’s the worst part.”

The judge convicted Keenan of theft and sentenced him to four months in prison. Bail was fixed in the event of an appeal.