A young man described as a menace by his solicitor was convicted of theft after doing a runner from a taxi which he took from Milltown to Tuam on August 25 last year.
Judge James Faughnan was told at Tuam District Court that Dean Keogh, Townhouse 1, Milltown, arrived in the taxi at a location in Tuam and asked the driver to wait while he fetched the fare of €34.20, but he never returned with the money. He was charged and convicted of theft for this offence.
The court was told the defendant had 31 previous convictions, most of which related to family law matters, and some further family law matters were dealt with at the sitting but are subject to reporting restrictions.
Eric Gleeson, solicitor (defending ), said his client had substance abuse issues, mostly alcohol but some drugs. He had been in Cluain Mhuire twice, but he had “fallen off the wagon” each time.
He pleaded that Keogh used taxis in Tuam a lot and he was willing to reimburse the driver he absconded from when he got the opportunity to do so.
Mr Gleeson noted that his client was looking much better since he was taken into custody on September 22 in relation to a family law matter.
Judge Faughnan imposed a two-month sentence backdated to September 22.
