Courts / Dublin / Report
Homeless man who stole €15 worth of food out of 'desperation' given suspended sentence
Summary
A homeless man who stole €15 worth of food from a Spar store in Dublin due to 'desperation' has received a suspended sentence. Amiran Zaalishvili, 33, pleaded guilty at Dún Laoghaire District Court to stealing groceries from the Spar store at Leopardstown Valley Shopping Centre on 14 May 2021. He admitted selecting goods valued at €15.75 and leaving without paying. The items were not recovered. His defence counsel, Michael O'Brien BL, explained that Zaalishvili was effectively homeless at the time and had no money to buy food, with the theft being a result of desperation. The court heard that Zaalishvili has 26 previous convictions, including drug-related offences, assault, and traffic violations. Judge Conor Fottrell noted the small value of the stolen goods but highlighted the defendant's extensive criminal history. The judge imposed a two-month custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, with the condition that Zaalishvili enter into a €200 bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Homeless man who stole €15 worth of food out of 'desperation' given suspended sentence. Charges or matters: stealing groceries from Spar at Leopardstown Valley Shopping Centre, Ballyogan Road, Dublin, on 14 May 2021, contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 14 May 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2026-02-06 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: stealing groceries from Spar at Leopardstown Valley Shopping Centre, Ballyogan Road, Dublin, on 14 May 2021, contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The judge imposed a two-month custodial sentence, suspended in full for 12 months, on condition that the accused enter into a €200 bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
Places mentioned
- Dún Laoghaire District Court
- Ballyogan Road
- Augustine Street
- Dublin
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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