A man who pleaded guilty to stealing a spare wheel worth £20 had wasted the time of both the gardai and Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Cyril Kelly said yesterday. However, Noel Harold (23), a building worker, of St Mark's Estate, Clondalkin, Co Dublin, had a constitutional right to transfer the case from the District Court for trial by a jury and could not be penalised for doing so, Judge Kelly added. He ordered the defendant to pay £300 to the Garda Benevolent Fund for wasting their time.
Mr Oliver Hughes, defending, said that Howard had consumed a few drinks before the offence and had never been in trouble before. He wanted to put this "blemish" behind him.