Suspended sentence for infantryman who detonated grenade in shop

An infantryman who stole an Irish Army-issue smoke grenade and detonated it in a shop has been given a suspended sentence and ordered to pay €1,500 in damages.

Joseph Langsford (aged 25), of Rossfield Court, Fettercairn, Tallaght and an accomplice detonated the grenade as a "prank" in the Vivo shop in Killinardin, causing €228 worth of damage.

As the convenience shop filled with smoke, the security guard was able to kick the grenade out and evacuate the building. The culprits ran away but the Army found out and bought it to the attention of the gardaí.

Langsford was later identified by CCTV footage taken in the shop and pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to committing the offences on April 23, 2006. He had no previous convictions

Judge Martin Nolan was told the grenades are usually used in military training and discharge smoke for 60-90 seconds.

Prosecuting counsel, Ms Geraldine Small BL, said "there was drink on board" and that Langsford’s accomplice was given a probationary sentence at an earlier date.

Mr Stephen McCann BL, defending, submitted that Langsford had been "extremely co-operative" with Gardai, admitting supplying the grenade to his accomplice who threw it into the shop.

He said Langsford had also recently faced a military tribunal for the same offence.

Judge Nolan said that taking all matters into account, he ordered Langsford to pay the shop owner €1,500, telling him he was "very very lucky", and added: "If you come before this court again, you won’t be so lucky."