A man who stole two inflatable beds from a retail store in Letterkenny has been warned that he is “running out of road”.
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham told Robert Polacek that if he is before the court again that a custodial sentence will be likely.
The 32-year-old, of Celtic Apartments, Port Road, Letterkenny, was charged with the theft of items from Jysk, Letterkenny and also with stealing food from Dunnes Stores.
Polacek was charged that he did steal property to wit Food items to the value of €43.30 the property of Dunnes Stores Fort Lynn Retail Park, Letterkenny on June 19, 2023.
He was also charged that he did steal property to wit two inflatable beds totalling €200 the property of Jysk, Letterkenny, on August 22, 2024.
The charges are contrary to section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
The accused, who was aided by an interpreter at Letterkenny District Court, spoke only to confirm that he wished for the matter to be heard in the District Court and to plead guilty.
The court was informed that Polacek has one previous conviction for theft, arising out of an incident in Cork in 2017.
Mr Frank Dorrian, solicitor for Polacek, said his client, a father-of-three, is originally from Romania and has been here for “five or six years”.
Mr Dorrian said these offences arose when “funds were running extremely low and each item was designed to ease difficulties in the household”.
The solicitor said that his client is “running out of road in terms of this type of behaviour”. He said Polacek is “contrite and sorry”.
The court heard that the inflatable beds were recovered.
Polacek was convicted and fined €200 and given six months to pay.
Judge Cunningham told Mr Dorrian: “I do want to advise your client that if he comes before this court on similar charges, the court will have to look at alternative sentencing options. This is the final chance.”