Jailed for stealing plastic bottles

Man was living in his car with his dogs

A homeless man said to be living in his car with his dogs has been jailed for one month in total after pleading guilty to driving off without paying for fuel, and also stealing €200 worth of plastic bottles collected as part of a fundraising drive for a local GAA club.

Jason Smithers (29), who questioned the jurisdiction of the court by asking Judge Stephanie Coggans if she had “proof of jurisdiction” over him, appeared before the vacational sitting of Monaghan District Court last Friday charged with two separate theft offences.

They include the theft of 200 plastic bottles from Éire Og GAA, Smithboro, Monaghan, on June 6, 2025; and latterly €90 worth of fuel from Daybreak on the Dublin Road, Kingscourt, Cavan, on June 13, 2025.

“God only gave man dominion over the birds in the air and the fish in the sea,” said Smithers, before accepting guilt to any offence he committed that may have caused “loss, harm, or injury”.

“If I caused any loss, harm or injury, I hold my hands up,” said Smithers to Judge Coggins, adding later that he was at his “wits’ end”.

In respect of the drive-off Smithers drove his vehicle onto the forecourt, filled up and left without paying. He was later identified from CCTV.

The bottles being collected by Éire Og meanwhile were due to be cashed in to help fund underage activities at the club.

Smithers was represented in court by Joseph Smith BL, instructed by solicitor Roisin Courtney.

He told Judge Coggans there were “underlying issues” behind his client’s behaviour, explaining Smithers’ living circumstances too.

From the body of the court Smithers offered the judge an apology, and she imposed a one month prison sentence back dated to July 21 when the defendant first went into custody, and a concurrent one month sentence for theft of the bottles.

Other alleged matters were adjourned to a court date in September and she directed the accused to seek medical and psychological attention.