Theft of bottles of vodka from Longford supermarket captured on CCTV

A defendant with no previous convictions was told he may avoid a criminal record if he makes a charity donation in July.
Dainius Stonys (34) of The Willows, Clonbalt Woods, Longford faced two counts of theft.

Sergeant Enda Daly said that on February 6, 2024 the defendant entered the Tesco supermarket in Longford and removed the security tag from a bottle of Smirnoff valued at €33. Mr Stonys hid the item in his clothes and left the store.

Some hours later he returned to the shop and placed a similar bottle of vodka in his clothes and attempted to leave the shop before he was stopped by security staff.

CCTV of the incident was available.

The defendant had no previous convictions.

Solicitor John Quinn explained that his client was “under the influence at the time” and had €40 in compensation for the court.

“He has a drink problem that he has to address,” Mr Quinn said. Although Mr Stonys is not working at present he has been in full time employment in the past and is looking for work.

Mr Quinn said: “Dainius is trying to get a full drivers license and this will lead to employment.”

Taking the facts of the case into consideration Judge Bernadette Owens said a conviction would have a “disproportionate effect” on the defendant.

Judge Owens said she would put the matter back to July 8 to allow Mr Stonys an opportunity to save €150 to the court poor box.

“If he has the €150 I may be persuaded to leave him without a conviction,” the judge concluded.