Book dealer cleared of selling stolen 'extraordinarily rare' €2,000 Seamus Heaney first editions

The books previously disappeared from Kenny's Books in Galway

Alan Ladak maintained that he bought each edition for about €40 from an anonymous bric-a-brac stall in the centre of Galway city. Picture: Tom Tuite

A book dealer who claimed he bought two missing and "extraordinarily rare" Seamus Heaney first editions worth €2,000 at a bric-a-brac stall has walked free from court.

Alan Ladak, aged 70, of Fahy Gardens, Loughrea, Co Galway, admitted he was reckless in buying the books for about €40 each, hoping to sell them for a profit.