03-05-2025
Dublin fireman who stole goods worth €176 from Tesco was struggling to pay mortgage
Keith Gibbons broke his ankle and was on sick leave from work
A firefighter who stole groceries was struggling to pay his mortgage after he broke his ankle and was on sick leave from work, a court heard.
Keith Gibbons (38) also started taking sleeping pills as his mental health suffered following the injury and his absence from his job.
Judge Stephanie Coggans ordered a probation report and adjourned sentencing to July.
The defendant, of Mariners Avenue in Rush, admitted theft at Tesco, Holywell Link Road in Swords, on November 19 of last year and on December 4 last year.
Tesco logo. Photo: PA
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He stole items worth a total of €176. The court heard the defendant had no previous convictions.
Defence solicitor Ray Kavanagh said Gibbons co-operated fully with gardaí, and admitted the thefts.
Mr Kavanagh said the defendant worked with Dublin Fire Brigade, but broke his ankle a number of months ago and had been off on sick leave.
Gibbons's mental health suffered due to his injury and being off work, Mr Kavanagh said, and he was self-medicating with sleeping pills.
Gibbons did not really remember the thefts, the solicitor added.
The defendant was also struggling financially, as he was paying a mortgage, but was on reduced wages due to the injury he had sustained.
Mr Kavanagh asked the judge to be lenient, asking her to leave Gibbons without a conviction, which would result in the defendant losing his job.
Gibbons had turned a corner in recent times, he added, was attending Narcotics Anonymous, and was focused on staying fit and well.
