VERDICT: Jury return with decision on Limerick man accused of stealing 10 cars from motor dealer

A LIMERICK man accused of stealing 10 cars from a motor dealer and having them “crushed” has been found not guilty by a jury of six men and six women at the Circuit Criminal Court this Thursday afternoon.

Paul Curtin, aged 46, with an address in Inis Bui, Cappamore, pleaded not guilty to 12 charges arising from an incident on December 20, 2019, before Judge Colin Daly.

These included one count of criminal damage, one count of deception and 10 thefts, allegedly from John Moloney Motors, which was located on the Ballysimon Road.

Curtin previously stated numerous times that he was “following instructions” given to him by another party, namely Stephen O’Sullivan, who ran Bawn Motors for a period of time on the same site of the alleged thefts.

Mr Curtin had told gardai following his arrest that he operated both a recovery business and a ‘cash for cars’ service.

On the morning in question, the Limerick man was said to have cut through a welded gate to gain access to the premises and then placed a chain on this gate in the aftermath.

Judge Daly was informed that Mr Curtin removed 10 vehicles from the Ballysimon Road site, believing they belonged to Stephen O’Sullivan. It was only after having them “crushed” and "flattened" at a nearby scrapyard that he discovered this man was not the owner of these cars.

The now-destroyed vehicles were in the ownership of Judy Moloney, who had custody of John Moloney Motors at this time due to her father’s ill health.

Limerick Circuit Criminal Court was informed that the accused man was never asked for proof of ownership by staff at the scrapyard.

The jury heard then that Mr Curtin received €960 for the 10 scrapped cars, which he subsequently returned after learning they were not the property of Stephen O’Sullivan.

This all came to light after Paul Curtin contacted the owner of Bawn Motors regarding cars that were in the Ballysimon Road yard. He has continuously maintained that Mr O’Sullivan gave him permission to take the cars away and have them “crushed.”

During all this, defence barrister Nicholas Hall said on his client’s behalf that he was unaware Bawn Motors was leasing its site from John Moloney Motors.

Paul Curtin “assumed” the 10 cars all belonged to Stephen O’Sullivan and, in a garda interview, was sympathetic towards Judy Moloney.

However, in his closing argument, prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan reminded the jury that Mr Curtin did admit to cutting the welded gate and that there was “no justification for taking these cars away in the manner in which he did.”

In his closing statement for the accused, Mr Hall stated that this incident occurred “in the middle of the day” and that his client “was indeed acting honestly in the circumstances.”

Judge Colin Daly gave his charge to the jury of six men and six women this Thursday morning, reminding them that they should act “dispassionately,” with no sympathy or prejudice to any parties involved in the case.

Judge Daly told the jurors they should only reach a verdict following a “rational, detailed analysis” amongst themselves.

He reminded the six men and six women that Paul Curtin “didn’t deny” these charges but maintained that he “had consent” from Stephen O’Sullivan, of Bawn Motors.

After almost two hours of deliberations, Paul Curtin was found not guilty on all 12 charges.

He walked free from Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.