Courts / Dublin / Report

'Not a criminal mastermind': lockdown left street trader stuck with fake fashion gear

Date
2022-12-02
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In a case heard on 12 May 2021, Thomas Kenny, aged 61, pleaded guilty to eight counts of possession of clothing bearing registered trademarks. Gardaí seized a large quantity of counterfeit apparel from his home, including jumpers, hoodies, track bottoms, shorts and t‑shirts with logos of Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Superdry, Puma and North Face. The items were largely mouldy, having been stored for over a year, and were described as poor quality with inconsistent sizing. Kenny explained that he had purchased a "job lot" in February 2020 but was unable to sell the goods because of the COVID‑19 lockdown. Judge Pauline Codd, noting his lack of prior convictions and his cooperation, imposed a €250 fine and ordered the destruction of the evidence, stating that the goods were not of a type that could easily deceive discerning buyers of luxury or branded goods. She described Kenny as "certainly not any kind of criminal mastermind.".

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Not a criminal mastermind': lockdown left street trader stuck with fake fashion gear. Charges or matters: eight counts of possession of clothing bearing registered trade marks at his home at Galtymore Road, Drimnagh Dublin 12 on May 12, 2021. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Why: Photo: Collins) A judge has noted that a street trader, who bought hundreds of items of fake branded clothing in February 2020 but was left unable to sell them because of the lockdown, was "certainly not any kind of criminal mastermind". CNI source report

Case subjects

Thomas Kenny

Defendant

Charges: eight counts of possession of clothing bearing registered trade marks at his home at Galtymore Road, Drimnagh Dublin 12 on May 12, 2021 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Places mentioned

Address Area
  • Galtymore Road
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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