Man tried to help suspected shoplifter escape from Tesco
By Brendan Grehan
A MAN who tried to help a suspected shoplifter escape from a supermarket has been jailed by Blanchardstown District Court .
Glen Melia was also caught driving without insurance and was jailed for 10 months.
The Tesco supermarket in Ballyfermot
Melia, aged 21, with an address at Shancastle Drive, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to breaching the peace at Tesco, Ballyfermot, on April 8, 2017.
He also pleaded guilty to having no insurance and no driving licence in Watson Park, Cabinteely in March 2015.
The court heard that Melia tried to aid the escape of a suspected shoplifter on April 8 last year.
A garda told the court that there was a confrontation with security staff and Melia struggled with them before officers arrived and he was arrested.
Melia had also been stopped in Cabinteely for having no insurance and no licence in March 2015.
The court heard that the defendant had 16 previous convictions, including three for uninsured driving.
Melia’s solicitor said his lifestyle had been in some turmoil but he was now back home living with his parents, and was more “settled”.
The solicitor said that Melia, who was unemployed and on social welfare, suffered from ADHD and had not completed his Junior Certificate or Leaving Certificate.
He was now looking after his mother, who has a number of ailments, and he had been of “great assistance” to her.
The solicitor said that Melia had been attending the Candle Project in Clondalkin and had been trying to re-engage with the support services available to him.
The Solicitor asked Judge Miriam Walsh to give his client a chance and consider imposing a suspended sentence.
Judge Walsh sentenced Meila to 10 months and refused to suspend any part of it.
She also fined him €400 and disqualified him from driving for 15 years on the no-insurance charge.
