Dublin man steals car to get away from girlfriend after row, Kerry court hears
The KerrymanA man stole a vehicle after a fight with his girlfriend to go and sleep in a hotel, Tralee District Court heard on Wednesday.
Eamon Stamp (40) of Drumcairn Avenue, Fettercairn, Tallaght, Dublin 24 pleaded guilty before Judge David Waters for several offences committed on January 26, 2026.
Mr Stamp found the vehicle in a driveway, “unfortunately with the keys in it”, Sergeant Chris Manton told the court. Mr Stamp “got in and drove away”, he added.
Mr Stamp was also charged with attempting to enter a vehicle owned by another person on the same night and attempting to commit theft from a vehicle. There was no damage to the vehicles or loss to the individuals.
Solicitor Pat Mann gave the full story on behalf of his client.
“It is an unusual situation, judge,” began the solicitor. “He hadn’t just come out of prison and was trying to re-engage in a relationship. She had a row with him and put him out of the house. He was effectively homeless.”
Mr Stamp found a car with the door left open at a nearby neighbourhood, Fairways Heights, drove to the Ballyroe Lodge and “went into one of the rooms to go for a sleep”, said his solicitor. “Nothing more, nothing less.”
“He mightn’t be here at all but for his relationship just exploding at that moment,” concluded Mr Mann.
He further noted the relationship was over and his client planned to return to Dublin and live with his mother in Tallaght.
Regarding an unrelated charge for the theft of a €52.50 jacket from JD Sports at The Outlet Centre in Killarney, Mr Mann brought the judge’s attention to its date, July 23, 2025. He noted there had been nothing similar since.
The court also heard that Mr Stamp had 144 previous convictions, including 53 for theft, one for taking a vehicle without authority.
The defendant had a proclivity for “getting into other people’s vehicles”, observed the judge.
He sentenced Mr Stamp to six months prison for each of the four charges, taking into consideration the plea. The sentences will run consecutively.