A Ballina man who stole a gold ring from a jewellers and money from a pub was not convicted for these thefts which he committed in 2008, because he has stayed out of trouble and paid full compensation for the stolen ring.
A previous court sitting heard that Tommy McLellan, 81 Barnadearg, Ballina stole a gold ring on May 2 2008 from Gold Time Jewellers, O’Rahilly Street, Ballina. The court heard on Tuesday that full compensation of €363 had been paid for the ring.
There was a further theft charge was before the court this week. On July 25 2008 at 4.30am gardaí were alerted to a burglary at Thornton’s Pub, Ballina. McLellan, along with another male was stopped by gardaí and found in possession of €175 worth of paper money and €350 worth of coins. Damage to the pub door cost €100. Only €75 of the money was recovered.
Since these 2008 incidents the court heard that the defendant has not come to garda attention and has abstained from alcohol for the past seven months.
Judge Mary Devins applied the Probation Act for both charges.
