Judge activates suspended sentence

A judge has activated a suspended sentence handed down to a Romanian national convicted of theft.

Arnold Lingurar (24) of Shercock Road, Bailieborough previously pleaded guilty to theft offences at two separate local premises when he appeared before Judge Raymond Finnegan at a recent sitting of Cavan District Court.

That included seven thefts from Tesco on the Kingscourt Road in Bailieborough on March 26, 2024, and €225.95 worth of perfumes from the Railway Pharmacy in Cavan Town on August 13, 2024.

He had nine previous convictions, all for road traffic matters, and none for theft, Judge Finnegan was informed at the time.

As a result the judge imposed a four-month suspended sentence on the Railway Pharmacy theft, and two consecutive four-month suspended sentences for thefts from Tesco.

However, he was brought back before Judge Finnegan at a recent district court sitting on foot of a bench warrant.

It was stated to the court that Lingurar was already on temporary release from prison, and that the offences that triggered the suspended sentences were for road traffic matters - no insurance, no licence and failure to produce documents.

“I hand down suspended sentences as an opportunity to mend your ways,” explained Judge Finnegan, who revoked the suspension in full on all three matters.

Legal aid was granted and recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal.