Man caught in Garda sting trying to sell stolen Ford Focus

A father of one who tried to sell a stolen Ford Focus to undercover gardaí will be sentenced next month.

Gavin Walsh (26) was caught in a sting operation after the car was advertised for sale on the Done Deal website.

Walsh of Carnlough Road, Cabra, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of a stolen Ford Focus in Co Dublin on January 18th, 2014.

Garda David Scanlon told Joseph Barnes BL, prosecuting, that a Ford Focus had been stolen from a back of a tow truck in Santry on January 15th, 2014. Gardaí set up a sting operation after it was advertised for sale on Done Deal.

Walsh arrived driving the car and attempted to sell it to the gardaí. The car’s plates and discs had been cloned. The car was recovered by gardaí and returned to the owners.

Walsh was also linked to a second car, an Audi A4, which had been bought from the true owner with a fake bank draft. It was similarly fitted with cloned plates and advertised for sale on Done Deal. It was also returned to its owners.

Walsh, who has six previous convictions for minor road traffic and public order offences, was arrested and a search carried out at his home. He made no admissions in relation to either vehicle.

Keith Spencer BL, defending, said the insurance company had been out of pocket by €1,800 and that his client had €1,300 in court to hand over. He said further money could be obtained if required by the court.

He said Walsh had recently become a father and both he and his partner were in employment. Walsh is to become a registered carer for his parents.

Mr Spencer said his client had not been charged with taking the vehicles but accepted he should and did know they were stolen. He said it had been a “sobering and frightening experience”.

He asked the court to accept Walsh had no form in this area and wished to lead a law abiding lifestyle.

Judge Martin Nolan noted this was not a spontaneous offence and had been planned out. He said Walsh had been in possession of the car with a view to making a profit. Sentencing was adjourned until the end of next month to allow a probation report be prepared.