Courts / Dublin / Report

Gambling addict got refunds for clothes he ripped in store, court hears

Date
2017-02-17
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

A man deliberately damaged clothing in Penneys stores and obtained cash refunds by exploiting the retailer's returns policy, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard on 17 February 2017. Patrick Quinn, aged 36, of Drumlish, Co Longford, pleaded guilty to inducing refunds totalling €392 across eleven transactions at Penneys branches in Blanchardstown during April and May 2015. Garda Stephen Walsh told the court that security staff provided CCTV footage showing Quinn damaging a jacket before presenting it for a refund without a receipt. Quinn admitted to deliberately tearing items including suit jackets after discovering the stores did not require receipts for damaged goods. His defence counsel outlined Quinn's struggles with gambling addiction, which intensified following his father's death in 2000, and noted his previous convictions related to theft. The court heard Quinn had undertaken residential treatment in 2013 without sustained improvement. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned sentencing until May to permit preparation of a probation report.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gambling addict got refunds for clothes he ripped in store, court hears. Charges or matters: inducing another to refund him cash for an item not purchased by him at branches of Penneys on dates in April and May 2015. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Case subjects

Patrick Quinn

Defendant

Charges: inducing another to refund him cash for an item not purchased by him at branches of Penneys on dates in April and May 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Melanie Greally adjourned sentencing until May to allow a probation report be prepared.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision Theft

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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