Courts / Dublin / Report
Community Service for once-successful businessman who stole alcohol while on bail for identical offence
Summary
Stephen Kavanagh, 50, was sentenced by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 240 hours of community service instead of prison for stealing alcohol worth €21,000 while on bail for a similar offence. He pleaded guilty to the theft on 20 September 2023, having 29 prior convictions including a 2022 theft. The judge accepted his guilty plea and noted he had not attracted Garda attention since. A headline sentence of two years was reduced to 18 months, but the court imposed community service within two years. Kavanagh, who had been a successful businessman whose firm had liquidated, claimed financial necessity and debt to "serious individuals" as motive. He had no addiction issues, and his defence highlighted his health difficulties and loss of his mother. The case was adjourned earlier to prepare a Probation Service report to assess suitability for community service.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Community Service for once-successful businessman who stole alcohol 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
- 2025-02-04 Publication
Why: Judge Crowe had adjourned the case until today 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: Finalising sentence today, Judge Orla Crowe accepted that Kavanagh pleaded guilty to the offence and has not come to garda attention since. Judge Crowe had adjourned the case until today 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 had adjourned the case until today 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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