A man who stole 2,742 bags of baby's disposable nappies has been jailed for four years by Judge Elizabeth Dunne.
In what was described as a very complex operation, the man and two accomplices drove to F.A. Watt & Co, a wholesale warehouse. Edward Stokes (39), single and unemployed, St Margaret's Caravan Site, Ballymun, pleaded guilty to a series of larcenies on dates between January 1st, 1998 and March 3rd, 1998 in the counties of Kildare, Cavan, Dublin and Meath.
Det Garda Cross told Mr Roger Sweetman, prosecuting, that Stokes acted as the driver for the larcenies. Other larcenies included the theft of a hammer and chainsaw valued at £700 and a petrol generator and tools worth £800. Garda Cross said a van from a worksite on Kilcock Bridge, Co Kildare, was also stolen by Stokes.
He said on other occasions the three stole beer kegs and a ride-on lawnmower valued at £18,000.
Defence counsel Mr John Hanlon asked Judge Dunne to consider that Stokes had no history of larceny. He was used by his accomplices.
Judge Dunne commented that Stokes got very little benefit out of these matters and set a review date for March 12th, 2001.