Man who left Laois restaurant without paying departs court before his case concludes

A man who admitted leaving a restaurant in Portlaoise without paying left court before his case was finalised. 

Ned Carthy (18) of 16 Stradavoher Court, Thurles, Tipperary admitted making off without payment of €122.96 from Eddie Rockets, Laois Shopping Centre on June 26, 2022. 

He appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court where his counsel, Andrew Dunne BL said there was a plea of guilty in relation to making off without payment. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant had gone into Eddie Rockets with two other individuals and left without paying on the date in question.  

“He was one of three individuals who did this so he wasn’t alone,” said Sgt Kirby. 

When Judge Susan Fay enquired about the defendant, Sgt Kirby said the defendant “is always on the garda radar judge. I will say no more.” 

Judge Fay asked that a community service suitability assessment be carried out in relation to the accused. She put the case back for a second call in order for the assessment to take place. 

The case was called again later in the day but the defendant wasn’t present. 

“After his meeting with probation services I can’t find him,” said Mr Dunne. 

Judge Fay said it appeared to be a “fleeting visit” to the court. 

The probation officer said he would have “real questions” over the defendant’s intention to engage with probation services. He said the defendant had provided him with an address but there were five possible houses on the road.  “I don’t actually have one address,” he said.

Mr Dunne said his client had been a juvenile at the time of the offending but the other two individuals weren’t. 

Judge Fay said the defendant hadn’t shown a lot of respect for the court. She said he was late to arrive and then left early. She described it as "contemptuous behaviour” and issued a bench warrant for sentencing.