A NEWPORT man who stole a tractor and caused over €1,600 damage to a car was warned to pay back all the compensation by the end of the month or he would be going to prison.
Jason McManamon was warned by Judge Mary Devins after he only had €500 of a €2,000 compensation he was due to pay at last week’s sitting of Westport District Court.
Mr Manamon (19) of Knocknageeha, Newport was due to have the compensation in court after a previous sitting heard that he caused €1,655 worth of damage to a car when he tried to start it to try to get home from Westport after a night out.
The court heard he was drunk and after failing to start the car with a screwdriver, he stole a tractor which he drove home. Judge Devins had warned that she could jail him for two years unless he had all the compensation paid.
A probation order was also prepared for Mr McManamon which was described as an ‘Eamon Dunphy report’ in that it was not bad but not great either. Mr James Hanley, solicitor for the defendant said it brought out the good and bad in his client who he said was hoping to get on a mechanics course in Limerick IT.
He asked the the sentence be adjourned for three months to see how he gets on. When Mr Hanley explained that he was unable to get the compensation, Judge Devins warned that he better have some money in court or ‘he will be off with his toothbrush’.
Mr Manamon returned to court with €500 and Judge Devins agreed that he could repay the balance within 28 days.
“When I direct something, I expect to be listened to what is said and not do what you want,” she warned him before adding that she will follow up on her original recommendation if it is not paid.
She adjourned sentencing until October 6 for an update probation report and to see if he returns to education.
