Courts / Mayo / Report

Former apprentice butcher stole €49,000 in takings on Christmas Eve

Date
2014-12-15
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Charlestown
County
Mayo

Summary

A former apprentice butcher pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to stealing €49,204 from McArdle Meats in Charlestown Shopping Centre, Finglas, on 24 December 2013. James Cahill (22), of Ferrycarrig Park, Coolock, took advantage of his knowledge of the shop's safe codes to remove two days of takings in the early hours of Christmas Eve. He had no previous convictions. Gardaí recovered €17,000 in a bag handed over by Cahill and a further €5,000 hidden in a laneway. The court heard Cahill was struggling with cocaine addiction at the time and had been absent from work due to his condition. The business ultimately suffered a loss of €17,000 after receiving €10,000 in insurance compensation. Judge Desmond Hogan described the offence as falling at the higher end of the middle range of seriousness but acknowledged Cahill's drug-induced state, early guilty plea, remorse and rehabilitation progress. Sentencing was adjourned until March 2015 to assess suitability for community service, though a custodial sentence has not been ruled out.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former apprentice butcher stole €49,000 in takings on Christmas Eve. Charges or matters: theft of €49,204 from McArdle Meats on December 24, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: Ms Lawlor told the judge that Cahill had been off sick from work at McArdle Meats in the weeks leading up to the crime because of his cocaine addiction. CNI source report

Case subjects

James Cahill

Defendant

Charges: theft of €49,204 from McArdle Meats on December 24, 2013 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He adjourned the case until March next year to see if Cahill is suitable for community service, but warned he is not ruling out a custodial sentence.; He adjourned the case until March next year to see if Cahill is suitable for community service, but warned he is not ruling out a custodial sentence.

Places mentioned

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

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Theft

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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