A 61-year-old man who tried to steal a garden gnome is about to mark 40 years of such crime, Kilmainham District Court in Dublin heard.
Myles Connors, of Cookestown Cottages, Belgard Road, Tallaght, Co Dublin, admitted entering the garden of a house at Boot Road, Clondalkin, to steal a garden gnome on March 24th last.
Garda Celine McNamee said he had previous convictions for similar offences going back to 1959. Judge John J. Neilan called him a criminal. "However, in the hope that you will retire before your 40th anniversary in crime, I'll only fine you £100."