Alleged thief drank stolen wine in supermarket
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A man accused of stealing a bottle of wine and drinking it before leaving the shop had a bench warrant issued for him when he failed to show up in court.
Thomas McGarry (65), with an address at Marina Court, Athy, was due in the local district court to face a single charge of theft from Pettitt’s SuperValu in the town centre on 26 May last year.
“He took an €8 bottle of wine and drank it there,” said the investigating garda.
“Where?” asked a very curious Judge Desmond Zaidan.
“He just sat down behind the cans and left,” said a deadpan garda.
“He sat down and drank it in Pettitt’s?” asked the judge.
“Well, judge, there was no seating area there,” explained the garda matter-of-factly.
“And he was able to walk?” the judge shook his head, before issuing the bench warrant when Sergeant Dave Hanrahan confirmed McGarry’s continued absence.
