Tried to take the security tags off CDS
A DUNDALK man who tried to take security tags off CDS and steal clothes in the Marshes Shopping Centre after he had just been released from prison has been given the chance to avoid a jail term and do community service instead.
Gary Gray, (21), with an address at 1 Assumption Place, admitted taking clothing worth €16 from Penneys on August 15th. The court heard he simply put the clothes on himself and tried to walk out the door, but was stopped.
The same day, he went into HMV in the shopping centre and damaged ten CDS, by trying to take the security tags off them. Around €100 worth of damage was done.
Gray also admitted hiding in bushes at the back of a house on the Avenue Road on October 13th. Gardai went to the area after getting a report about a car being interfered with and spotted Gray near a house. He took off when he saw Gardai and was found in the back garden of a house hiding.
Judge Flann Brennan was told that Gray has ten previous convictions, mostly for theft and public order.
Solicitor Peter Lavery said his client hadn't been in trouble since these incidents and had been released from a prison sentence when he 'feel into bad habits'.
The solicitor said Gray had had a problem with drugs but hasn't taken any in the past three months. He wanted to get compensation together, but hadn't managed it until now as he was on social welfare and was travelling to Dublin every day to see his mother in hospital. Mr Lavery said Gray wanted an opportunity get the compensation together and would take the chance the court gave him.
Judge Brennan said Gray could do 200 hours' service instead of ten months and adjourned the case for a community service report and €100 compensation to April 18th.
