Diesel thief was driving stolen car while drunk
Prison sentence: Judge Eugene O'Kelly
A YOUNG man who stole €22 worth of diesel while driving a stolen car was arrested a short time later on suspicion of drink-driving.
Cian O’Donnell, aged 21, of Creagh Avenue, Kileely pleaded guilty, at Limerick Court, to stealing the diesel from the Topaz petrol station, Ennis Road on February 6, last.
Sgt Donal Cronin said gardai were alerted to the drive-off shortly before 10pm and that the offending vehicle was identified on CCTV footage.
He said gardai encountered the car a short time later as it was being driven in an erratic manner on the N18, Limerick to Shannon dual carriageway.
Judge Eugene O’Kelly was told the defendant was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving but that he refused to provide a sample of his breath after he was taken to Henry Street garda station.
Sgt Cronin added that when he was stopped, O’Donnell was driving his friend’s car which he had taken without his permission.
Solicitor John Devane said his client was a “young man with a lot of difficulties” and he said it was a “drink fuelled” incident and that he was “very apologetic”.
Mr Devane added that his client had attempted to pay for the stolen diesel since the incident but that he was unable to do so because of the court proceedings.
Judge O’Kelly said the fact that O’Donnell had been drinking was an aggravating factor as was the defendant’s poor record.
The judge disqualified O’Donnell from driving for four years and he imposed prison sentences totalling four months.
The sentence is to be served consecutively to a four month suspended sentence - imposed last September - which was activated by the Judge.
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Wednesday 19 June 2013
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