A FATHER of two was so desperate to see his children at a time when he had no money that he stole fuel for his car to get to them, a judge was told.
Andrew Daly (31), of Colbert Park Janesboro, pleaded guilty before Limerick District Court to filling his car on two occasions at Limerick fuel stations and driving off without paying.
The total value of fuel stolen was €340, Judge Carol Anne Coolican heard.
His solicitor told the court that Mr Daly had a lot of difficulty in the last few months. A separated father with two children living in Clare, Mr Daly “lost his job” and didn’t have any money to put fuel in his car.
“He committed these offences out of desperation. Both his children suffer from serious disabilities … He wanted to see his children,” the solicitor told the court.
Judge Coolican was told Mr Daly has 55 previous convictions including theft, assault, money laundering, and road traffic offences.
Two previous convictions carry suspended sentences, one of three months which was suspended for one year from February 21 this year and another of two years, suspended for two years and imposed in May 24.
The latest conviction would mean both sentences could be triggered, the court heard.
Judge Coolican imposed new sentences of one week in jail on each of the two thefts and remanded Mr Daly in custody to be brought back before judges in Ennis and Nenagh, where the suspended sentences were imposed.
– Court Reporting Scheme