Limerick man with ‘history of deception’ stole hundreds from rural Kerry residents, court hears
The KerrymanA Limerick man with “a history of deception” conned hundreds from a rural Kerry pensioner and his neighbour by promising to switch their utility providers, Listowel District Court heard on Thursday.
Niall Bennis (51) of Woodlawn Park, Ballysimon, Road, Limerick appeared before Judge David Waters on three theft charges.
“This man has a history of deception,” noted the judge.
The court heard he had 11 previous convictions for theft, including several in Galway and Kilrush for making gain or causing loss by deception.
He was accused of offering to switch electrical companies for two people in Ballyegan, Lisselton and Gortacrossane, Listowel in August, 2023.
It is common practice for people to switch utility providers annually to avail of competitive rates for new customers.
Solicitor Brendan Ahern said his client had done this previously for the first victim, saving him money. The man engaged Mr Bennis’ services a second time and introduced him to a neighbour.
Mr Bennis charged both €200 to complete the paperwork required to switch providers but never made the switch.
The victims were 72 and 60-years-old.
His solicitor noted the loss had been repaid and Mr Bennis had engaged well with the investigation.
But the judge expressed deep concerns about the pattern of behaviour, noting Mr Bennis had engaged in “very serious, premeditated” thefts in the past.
“This man has come back and is now engaged in the same behaviour,” said the judge.
Mr Ahern suggested the crime was “more opportunistic than planned out”, noting it occurred in 2023 when his client suffered from addiction.
The judge said it didn’t take a “rocket scientist” to expect a prison sentence given past convictions for similar crimes.
“That said, probation services seem to be at pains to distinguish these offences from previous offences,” said Judge Waters.
He remanded Mr Bennis on bail to July 16 under the supervision of probation services with liberty to apply community service. “I have in mind 100 hours in lieu of five months on each [conviction],” said Judge Waters. If Mr Bennis fails to engage with probation services, he could face months in prison for each conviction, added the judge. “The only question is whether it would be concurrent or consecutive.”