A DEFENDANT who put an Aldi security man in fear when he told him he had a gun on him and reached inside his clothing to indicate he was going to draw it, was told that his case couldn’t be finalised until his victim was canvassed to see if he wanted to make a victim impact statement.
Judge James Faughnan heard at Tuam District Court that Richard Curtin, 30 College Park, Athlone was with another individual on May 31, 2024 when they took eight cans of cider valued at €17 from Aldi in Tuam.
They were confronted by a security man and Curtin threatened him and told him he had a gun on him. He put his hand in his top as if to draw a gun and this put the security man in fear. When Gardaí arrived they found no gun.
The Court heard Curtin had 77 previous convictions, including 41 for theft, three for possession of knives and three for public order.
His solicitor said his client is 50 and currently on remand. He was pleading guilty and wanted to get the matter dealt with.
However, Judge Faughnan told him: “That can’t be done until we know if your victim wants to make a victim impact statement. You threatened you had a gun in your pocket.” He remanded the defendant until the Gardaí could canvass the security man regarding the statement.
