A District Court judge told a shoplifter he should be "going to Fás every morning knocking on the door". Patrick Doyle (18), of Knockmore Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, pleaded guilty to stealing a pair of shoes from Dunnes Stores, The Square, Tallaght, on July 17th, 2012.
Doyle's solicitor John O'Leary said his client was only 18 and was on €100 social welfare a week. "He should be going down to Fás every morning knocking on the door," Judge Anthony Halpin told Mr O'Leary.
He asked Doyle: "Did you go to your local representative? Do you know who he is? Have you ever voted in your life?" Doyle answered "no" to the questions.
Judge Halpin struck out the charge after Doyle paid €50 to the Capuchin Friary on Bow Street.
