Courts / Kerry / Report
Former company director gets community service for handling stolen dumper truck
Summary
Tom O'Connor, 47, former director of O'Connor Plant Hire & Ground Works, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to handling a stolen Volvo A25D dumper truck in Brittas, Co. Dublin, between December 2009 and April 2010. He admitted possession of the vehicle, which had its chassis, VIN and engine numbers altered, but denied involvement in its theft or cloning. O'Connor had five prior convictions, including a 2011 offence for possessing a stolen John Deere tractor. He resigned as director in 2013 and was declared bankrupt in 2012. Judge Desmond Hogan imposed a four‑year sentence, suspended in full for five years, and ordered O'Connor to complete 240 hours of community service and to keep the peace for five years. The judge noted O'Connor's moderate risk of re‑offending but accepted that he had not participated in stealing the truck. The case was prosecuted by Gerardine Small BL and defended by Tony McGillicuddy BL.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former company director gets community service for handling stolen dumper truck. Charges or matters: handling a stolen Volvo A25D dumper Truck at Brittas, Co Dublin on a date between December 2009 and April 2010. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 2009 Incident
- April 2010 Incident
- 2015-01-16 Publication
Why: O'Connor resigned as the director of O'Connor Plant Hire & Ground Works in Listowel in 2013 because he believed his continued involvement would damage the company's reputation. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: handling a stolen Volvo A25D dumper Truck at Brittas, Co Dublin on a date between December 2009 and April 2010 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Desmond Hogan imposed a four-year sentence, but suspended it in full for five years, saying he wanted to leave the sentence "hanging over his head". He ordered O'Connor to carry out 240 hours of community service and to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for five years from today.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Mobile evidence points to innocence of Ballyseedy meth haul accused, court told
- 'Highly naïve' money mule who self-reported to gardai avoids jail
- Unsuccesful Dail candidate too late to challenge election result
- Failed GE candidate wants result in Kerry set aside over alleged 'torn out' ballots
- Care worker who had job terminated after saying she planned to quit wins €6k for unfair dismissal
- Ballyseedy CEO gets 12 years as court finds he was 'committed to and invested in' €32m drugs venture linked to Sinaloa Cartel
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request