Courts / Kildare / Report
Monet basher guilty of having stolen antique books
Summary
Andrew Shannon, 51, was found guilty of possessing 67 stolen antique books, including a 1660 edition of the King James Bible, after a five‑day trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The books had disappeared from the library of Carton House in Kildare during its restoration and were later discovered in Shannon's house during a Garda search. Shannon claimed he bought the books at a fair for about Irl£300 and used them to decorate his home, stating they were of no real value. He pleaded not guilty but the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict after just under four hours of deliberation. Shannon is currently on bail and remanded under the same conditions; he is in custody at Shelton Abbey prison serving a term for a prior conviction of criminal damage to a Monet painting. The case is subject to a victim impact report under the new EU directive on victims.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Monet basher guilty of having stolen antique books. Charges or matters: possession of the books at his home while knowing or being reckless as to whether they were stolen on March 3, 2007; handling stolen property involving maps dating from 1651 with a value of €6,000. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 3, 2007 Incident
- December 2014 Adjournment
- June 2012 Adjournment
- 2016-02-02 Publication
Why: Mr Mallaghan explained that the crest featured a monkey which according to legend saved one of the FitzGeralds after waking him up in a burning building. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: possession of the books at his home while knowing or being reckless as to whether they were stolen on March 3, 2007; handling stolen property involving maps dating from 1651 with a value of €6,000 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Under the new EU directive on victims, transposed into Irish law last November, Judge Petria McDonnell invited the owners of Carton House to provide a victim impact report for the sentence hearing next April.; Shannon is on bail on this matter and was remanded on the same conditions.
Places mentioned
- Carton House
- Shelton Abbey prison
- Willans Way
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- he went to the garda station
Topics
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