Man deceived couple out of €1,000
The man pleaded guilty before a sitting of Castlebar District Court.
A man who deceived a couple out of €1,000 has received a suspended jail term.
Anthony Kerrigan, aged 27, of Kilcruttan, Tullamore, Co Offaly, admitted to the offence when he appeared before a sitting of Castlebar District Court.
Kerrigan and another man, who is not before the courts, responded to an online advert seeking gardening and landscaping services.
On December 1, 2021, Kerrigan accepted €1,000 from a couple for a tree surgery job at Oak Mill, Balla, but never carried out the work.
Solicitor Tom Walsh described the episode as a "mean trick" but said his client has repaid the money. Kerrigan was also assessed by the Probation Service and deemed suitable for community service.
Mr Walsh insisted the defendant, a father of five children aged between one and eight years, regretted his actions.
"He is away now from the influences he was guided by, and he says he was a bit wild in his younger years," the solicitor said. "He left school at 14 and has learned his final lesson in relation to appearing in court."
Kerrigan, who is unemployed, has 45 previous convictions.
Judge Fiona Lydon said she was pleased with the probation report and the fact that compensation was paid. She imposed a nine-month prison sentence, which she agreed to suspend.
