Boxer who represented Ireland avoids jail for stealing €5k from car in Cork
Michael McDonald returned to Cork Circuit Criminal Court today with the €5,000 in compensation for the theft.
An underage boxer who represented Ireland got a one-year suspended jail term for stealing €5,000 in cash from the boot of a car parked outside the Bull McCabe’s pub in Cork.
Michael McDonald of 18 The Mall, Ongar Road, Clonee, Dublin, returned to Cork Circuit Criminal Court but this time he brought the €5,000 in compensation for the theft.
Judge Ó Donnabháin said: “This was an opportunistic theft. There was no physical contact.
Prosecution barrister, Donal McCarthy, said the owner of the car and the money had died in the past few days and the State would arrange for the €5,000 to be paid to his estate.
Mr McCarthy said that the death of the injured party could have created a difficulty for the prosecution if the accused had not maintained his plea of guilty. However, the defendant maintained his guilty plea.
Detective Garda Pat Connery testified at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that the money was stolen just before Christmas three years ago.
Det. Garda Connery said the young man was a very accomplished sportsman and boxed underage for Ireland.
Shortly before lunchtime on December 20, 2017, the injured party in the case went to the AIB bank on Douglas Road, Cork, where he withdrew €5,000 in cash.
The man then drove to the Bull McCabe’s pub at Ballycurreen, near Cork Airport. He parked his car and went into the pub. The €5,000 was left in the back of the car.
Michael McDonald stole the cash from the car when it was unattended.
Defence barrister Joseph Mulrean had applied for an adjournment of sentencing until yesterday so that the compensation could be raised in full.
Judge Ó Donnabháin had warned earlier this year: “If he wants to stay out of jail he has to make full repayment.”
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