A garda convicted of two shoplifting charges has been given a one-year suspended sentence by a judge who told him he had brought shame and humiliation on his own head.
However, Judge Anthony Kennedy also noted the "odd" nature of the offences and the trivial value of the items stolen. He also pointed out that the accused had been on anti-depressant medication since childhood.
Jarlath Naughton (51), Crozon Crescent, Sligo, had admitted two counts of theft from two Sligo supermarkets over a six-week period in 2005.
Sligo Circuit Court heard that after 27 years, his career in the Garda Síochána was over.
The Garda Commissioner had been urged not to dismiss Garda Naughton but to discharge him on grounds of ill-health.
Garda Naughton admitted stealing groceries worth €46.51 from Tesco, O'Connell Street, Sligo, on October 22nd, 2005, and a further charge of stealing four fruit scones worth €1.68 at Dunnes Stores, Cranmore, Sligo, on December 3rd, 2005.
Judge Kennedy said there was strong psychiatric evidence about Garda Naughton's health. The items stolen were of little value and the offences were odd, especially the incident in Dunnes Stores.
While under surveillance there he had been mooching around eating scones.
"The current opinion of the consultant psychiatrist shows significant personality disorder and his unsuitability to continue as a garda," added Judge Kennedy.
In a bizarre turn of events, Garda Naughton had been identified by a security man driving home who came across a crash and recognised the garda on the scene as the shoplifter.