‘Sad case’ knocked over eight jars of coffee

By Brendan Grehan

A MAN who knocked over eight jars of coffee and 46 pastries in a Londis left Blanchardstown Court with a three-month suspended sentence.

Eric Keenan was before Judge David McHugh for a probation report.

Keenan, aged 25, with an address at Ross Court Heights, Lucan, had pleaded guilty to damaging eight jars of coffee and 46 pastries at Londis, Fonthill Retail Park, Clondalkin, on November 18, 2015.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of a knife at Fonthill Road on June 22, 2015.

The presenting sergeant told Judge McHugh that on June 22, 2015, Keenan had been observed on the Fonthill Road in Clondalkin drinking a can of beer.

She said Keenan tried to walk away but the gardaí stopped and searched him and found him in possession of a knife.

She said that at 10.39am on November 18, 2015, Keenan entered the Londis in the Fonthill Retail Park and picked up a bottle of Pepsi and threw it against the Subway counter.

She said the bottle rebounded against the counter but did not cause any damage. The sergeant said that Keenan then knocked over a display of coffee and pastries causing €68 worth of damage. The products could not be resold.

The sergeant said Keenan had received the probation act previously in Blanchardstown Court for criminal damage.

Keenan’s solicitor, John O’Doherty, said his client is “a sad case”. He said Keenan had been homeless at the time of the offences and is now back living with his father.

Judge McHugh mentioned that Keenan is fit to plead and that there were victims in the incidents before the court.

He sentenced Keenan to three months jail, suspended for 18 months for the criminal damage and took the other charge into consideration.