Courts / Dublin / Report
Once-successful businessman stole alcohol order while on bail for identical offence
Summary
Stephen Kavanagh, 50, a former businessman now in debt, pleaded guilty to stealing alcohol worth €21,000 from a drinks company on 20 September 2023 while on bail for a similar offence. He placed the order under the alias "Mark O'Reilly," prompting the company's suspicion and a Garda surveillance operation that intercepted the delivery. Kavanagh was arrested, the alcohol was returned, and no victim impact statement was filed. He has 29 prior convictions, including a 2022 theft of the same nature. In court, his defence highlighted financial necessity, health issues, and threats from creditors, arguing for community service. Judge Orla Crowe accepted the plea, set a headline sentence of two years, reduced it to 18 months, and adjourned the case to February 2025 to decide on a 240‑hour community service order in lieu of prison.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Once-successful businessman stole alcohol order while on bail for identical offence. Charges or matters: the theft of cases of alcohol valued at €21,000 at Belgard Road, Tallaght, on September 20, 2023; the offence and has not come to garda attention since. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 20, 2023 Incident
- February 4, 2025 Adjournment
- 2024-10-15 Publication
Why: She adjourned the case to February 4, 2025 to allow for the preparation of a report for the Probation Service in order to determine if Kavanagh is suitable for community service. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the theft of cases of alcohol valued at €21,000 at Belgard Road, Tallaght, on September 20, 2023; the offence and has not come to garda attention since (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She adjourned the case to February 4, 2025 to allow for the preparation of a report for the Probation Service in order to determine if Kavanagh is suitable for community service. Judge Crowe said should Kavanagh be deemed suitable she would order that he carry out 240 hours in the community in lieu of an 18 month prison sentence.; She adjourned the case to February 4, 2025 to allow for the preparation of a report for the Probation Service in order to determine if Kavanagh is suitable for community service.
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