‘Informal mechanic’ found with stolen van and property

An “informal” mechanic who was caught with vehicles and property stolen from around the country will be sentenced later.

Stephen Walpole, aged 49, initially claimed someone had delivered a stolen van found partially hidden on his property so he could remove identity stickers. He told gardaí he had it because he had been owed money for its repair.

Garda Ruadhan McLoughlin said he and colleagues discovered more stolen vehicles and property from stolen vehicles in and around Walpole’s home after locating the first van at his address by it’s satellite tracking system.

Gda McLoughlin said he then spotted Walpole outside a motor repairs company two months later with another stolen vehicle on the back of his truck.

Walpole, of Parkhill Close, Tallaght, pleaded guilty on a trial date at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing stolen property, including an Opel Astra van, two stolen cars, a Sat Nav, bull bars, a bicycle, golf clubs, and a spare key from a car on March 3, 2011. He also pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen vehicle on the back of his truck at AGA Motors, Tallaght, on May 19, 2011.

The father of two has 65 previous convictions dating back to 1979, including 12 robberies, two driving offences, and one escape from custody.

Gda McLoughlin agreed with Gerry O’Brien SC, defending, this would have been a big case had it gone to trial, with a possible 79 witnesses and a 500-page book of evidence.

Plant hire owner Fred Mallon told Mr O’Brien that he had travelled from Wales to act as character witness for Walpole, whom he has known and trusted as a friend and worker for 20 years. He said he believed Walpole had been hanging around with the wrong kind of people and asked the judge to give him a chance.

Judge Hogan said he was influenced by Mr Mallon but he was not ruling out a custodial sentence. He adjourned sentencing until April, pending a Probation Services report.