A CLARE man up for a day at the Galway Races claimed he was trying to return a woman’s purse he found in the smoking area outside the Skeff bar, Eyre Square, but the bouncers wouldn’t let him back inside to do so as he had too much to drink.
This was the scenario outlined to Judge Fiona Lydon at Galway District Court when James Sherlock, 4 St John’s Halting Site, Ennistymon, Co Clare appeared before her on a charge of the theft of a wallet belonging to Kate Murphy on the night of August 5 last.
Michael Cunningham solr (defending ) outlined his client’s version of events on the night. His client was on a night out during the Galway races. He was socialising in the Skeff and went outside for a smoke. There he found the lady’s wallet and put it in his pocket intending to hand it in to the bar staff when he went back inside the Skeff.
However, as luck would have it, the bouncers refused to let him back in, telling him he’d had enough to drink.
As he was “chatting” with the bouncers the Gardaí arrived on the scene, searched Sherlock and found the wallet on him. The defence pleaded that “he was surprised when the wallet was found on his person.”
“Could he not just have said to the bouncers if they’d mind handing the wallet in to the bar staff?” asked Judge Lydon.
Mr Cunningham replied “if he had he wouldn’t be here today.”
He added that this was a genuine mistake and his client was pleading guilty at the first opportunity. Sherlock had no previous convictions, was 40 and has five children.
The Court was told that the victim had her wallet returned to her within five minutes, but by then she’d frozen all her cards.
Judge Lydon imposed a fine of €300.
