Theft of bench from Adrigole pub results in loss of driving licence

A WOODEN bench grabbed from outside an Adrigole pub and driven away in a van resulted in the driver being remanded in custody for a week.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin also told Peter Keenan of 1 Island View, Rochestown Road, Cork, that he was banning him from driving for one year, for using the car in the course of the commission of a crime.

Keenan and his passenger Michael Keenan of 1 The Pier, Bantry, opted for trial by judge and jury when they were charged with stealing the €100 bench rather than having the case dealt with at District Court level.

After hearing that they opted to come forward to the Circuit Court, Judge Ó Donnabháin asked their barristers: ‘And you are not looking for a psychiatric report?’

The judge was told that the bench was stolen from outside the Sugarloaf Inn, Trafask, Adrigole, on May 31st last. The Ford Transit van was seen in the area, as was the taking of the bench.

As soon as the judge heard the evidence, he said to the van driver: ‘Use your car for the commission of a crime, you have to take the consequences. Your licence is gone, Peter.’

Niamh Stewart, defence barrister for Peter Keenan, said the accused needed his car for domestic reasons.

The judge said: ‘When you go taking your car around the country robbing, you should be thinking of the value of the car to those around you.’

Brendan Kelly, barrister for Michael Keenan, said the men thought the pub was closed down and had taken the bench for firewood.

Michael Keenan got a six-month suspended sentence.

Peter Keenan, who was remanded in custody for the week, will be sentenced later. He had previous theft convictions.