Metropole Hotel guest fined for not paying €480 bill

Judge warns accused, who now has two similar convictions, that he faces jail if he commits another offence

The accused charged food and drink to his room during a three-day stay at the Metropole Hotel in Cork.

A hotel guest who stayed three nights and clocked up a further bill for food and drink left without paying any of the €482 he owed.

A call was made from the Metropole Hotel in Cork to An Garda Síochána the day that Ross Meehan, aged 31, of 47 Woodview, Kilmoney Road, Carrigaline, Co Cork,  left without paying.

Yesterday at Cork District Court, he brought the full amount of his bill to pay back the hotel before being sentenced for the theft by deception.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said the crime was committed on February 4, 2022, at the Metropole Hotel on MacCurtain St, Cork.

Garda Alan O’Donovan received a complaint about a man who stayed at the hotel from February 1-4.

“He left the hotel that morning owing €482 for the room along with food and drink which he had charged to the room during his stay,” Sgt Davis said.

He was previously convicted of committing a similar offence after a stay at Oriel House Hotel in Ballincollig, for which he was convicted and fined €500.

Solicitor Frank Buttimer said: “The background issue is — now treated — alcoholism. It was not treated at the time and the offences happened around the same time.

“He is in recovery, clear for approximately nine months. Three months was spent in in-house treatment and he is now in aftercare.”

Judge Olann Kelleher imposed a fine of €600 on the defendant for the Metropole offence.

Noting the fact that he now had two similar convictions, the judge warned that it would be jail if he committed another offence.