Lithuanians stole two crates of Hennessy

Two Lithuanian nationals who pleaded guilty to stealing two crates of Hennessy brandy with a total value of €360 from a supermarket in Castleblayney appeared before Cavan District Court in connection with the offence. Denis Fomkin (19), 2 Woodford Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, and Mantas Pavlavicius, 24 Tamarisk Drive, Kilnamanagh, Tallaght, Dublin 24, were charged that on January 18 at McConnon"s SuperValu, Conabury, Castleblayney, they stole two crates of Hennessy the property of Jim McConnon. Judge Sean MacBride imposed a six-month sentence on Pavlavicius. He also gave him a three-month concurrent sentence and disqualified him from driving for one year for having no insurance on his vehicle at Drumcrew, Castleblayney, on the same occasion. The defendant was given a concurrent three-month term for having in his possession a false Lithuanian driving licence. Fomkin was given a three-month suspended sentence on him entering his own bond of €127 to keep the peace for one year. Inspector B. Cadden said the defendants entered the supermarket and picked up a crate each of Hennessy and each crate contained 12 bottles. As they were leaving, one of the defendants let a crate drop but they made good their escape. Later they were stopped by Garda Gaynor and Brady who discovered the crate in the car. They were arrested and questioned about the matter. They made full statements of admission. One of the crates was recovered but the other was smashed. The Inspector added that Fomkin had five previous conviction including four for theft and one for failing to appear in court Ms. Linda Smith, solicitor defending said that Mr. Fomkin had €500 in court by way of compensation for the victim. He was under the influence of other mature men. Judge MacBride directed that the €500 be paid to the victim. He added that the only reason he was not sending him away was the simple fact if he did so he would have no authority to confiscate the money and give it to Mr. McConnon as compensation. Ms. Smith said both her clients were travelling to a play a soccer match in Enniskillen and they stopped in Castleblayney for a soft drink. Mr. Pavlavicius owed money for rent and he had the option of not paying it and being thrown or do what he did and pay up. He obtained the licence to make it more amenable to get work when he came to Ireland. Judge MacBride said it was outrageous that he was driving without insurance on a false licence. He made good his escape but was later apprehended. 'I"m aware that shop keepers in Monaghan are sick and tired of marauding people like this coming down and robbing their premises. I"m going to put a stop to it.' Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal.