Thief pays for lobster he pinched from tank

A man who pinched a live lobster from a fish tank over two months ago, finally paid for it yesterday at Cork District Court — and left a tip.

The live lobster was stolen from a fish tank at Good Fish Company in Douglas Court, Cork, on April 5.

Michael Austin, of 41 St Joseph’s Terrace, Passage West, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to the theft yesterday.

Inspector John Deasy said the lobster cost €16.11.

Austin handed €17 to his solicitor, Emmet Boyle, to cover the loss.

Mr Boyle gave the money to Insp Deasy, saying, “It is customary to leave a tip for fine foods.”

Mr Boyle said, rather than being a straightforward theft, it was more of an act of bravado carried out by Austin on the day.

On the more serious side, Mr Boyle said the defendant had taken such poor care of himself in terms of a lifetime of substance abuse that it was a wonder, at the age of 32, he could even walk in the front door of the court.

Judge Malone convicted and fined Austin €150 for the theft with three months to pay.