A former garda went on trial yesterday accused of dishonestly appropriating for himself cans of drink that had been stolen by two youths from a shop in Bray.
James Murphy was the garda investigating the theft of slabs of Bulmers from Centra, Dargle Road, Bray, by two youths at 7.30am on June 20th, 2009. Mr Murphy (24), Duncormack, New Ross, Co Wexford, has pleaded not guilty to the charge before a jury at Wicklow Circuit Court, sitting in Bray.
Three hours after the theft, Garda Murphy arrested two youths at Ballywaltrim Park. Another garda handed two slabs of cider he found to Mr Murphy, as the investigating garda at Bray Garda station. The alcohol had been concealed in a hedge behind where a group of men were standing.
Garda Antoinette Foley said she lived in Greystones and Mr Murphy was living in the same housing estate. She was having a birthday party on February 18th, 2010, and there was an open invitation to members of Bray and Greystones Garda stations.
On a date between February 11th and 18th, Mr Murphy requested a lift home after the night shift. He brought out two slabs of cider and placed them in the boot of her car and said “We will have them at the party”.
She did not know where the drink came from and presumed it had been bought. All she knew was that he put the drink in her car.