A judge has advised a Dundalk man that he should get a job as he was a "failure" as a criminal. Judge Flann Brennan described Richard McDonagh, of Woodland Park, as "inept" yesterday in Dundalk District Court. McDonagh admitted stealing 34 chairs from the Iarnrod Eireann yard, Ardee Road, on August 16th last-year. The defendant told the court he believed the chairs, worth £61, were scrap.
McDonagh also admitted handling a stolen fireplace, worth £250, and two antique fireplaces, each worth £150. His solicitor said all the property had been recovered. Judge Brennan sentenced McDonagh to 240 hours community service and adjourned the matter for a probation and welfare report to April 9th.