Courts / Dublin / Report

Gardai able to remotely control street cameras to track thief

Summary

In a 2018 incident, Gardaí used remote control of street cameras to track Shane Pollard (41) after he stole €500 from a shop. The cameras captured him taking money from the till, and Garda Patrick Fallon monitored his movements as he fled into a nearby café. Pollard was arrested there, breathing heavily and sweating, and all the stolen money was recovered. He later pleaded guilty to theft of €510 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Melanie Greally noted no force or violence was used against staff, though Pollard had armed himself with a blade or scissors. She imposed a two‑year sentence, backdated to February to account for time already spent in custody. Pollard, who has 27 prior convictions including seven for robbery, had relapsed into cocaine use after a family bereavement. The defence highlighted his long history of drug use and his current health conditions. The court accepted his guilty plea and cooperation.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gardai able to remotely control street cameras to track thief. Charges or matters: theft of €510 from Daybreak, Tower Road, Clondalkin on February 3, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• February 3, 2018 Incident
• 2018-06-14 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report