Ex-con admits stealing wheels
Thursday March 11 2010
A BISHOPSTOWN resident, previously convicted of murder in Britain and currently on conditional release from an Irish prison, was given four weeks by Judge James McNulty to reveal the name of his accomplice in the theft of four alloy wheels from a car at O'Leary's Garage in Lissarda.
John Casey, with an address at 8 Curraheen Lawn, Bishopstown, admitted stealing the wheels, worth €3,700, from an Audi. But he refused to give Gardai the name of the person who assisted him in propping up the car and removing the tyres in an operation that took an hour and a quarter to complete, Inspector Tony Sugrue said.
Casey's solicitor, Michael Purcell, said that his client had lived "a very law-abiding life" since his release from prison in 2000. This prompted a sharp respons from Judge McNulty .
"He came out to Lissarda to thieve – and it wasn't a chocolate bar, it was four alloy wheels. He propped up the car and took the four wheels off a brand new Audi," the judge commented.
Gardai confirmed that Casey had served prison time in England for murder and was re-patriated to Cork prison in 1999. He was subsequently released on licence in 2000 and is obliged to sign on in Cork Prison every quarter. Casey (43) also has previous convictions for burglary in both England and Ireland.
"He is now back to his old ways", Judge McNulty said, adding that he took exception to any assertion that Casey is "a changed man", given his refusal to disclose the name of his accomplice in this crime.
Mr Purcell indicated that his client feels he coerced his accomplice into participating, and wanted to take responsibility for the theft himself.
Judge McNulty said that he was giving Casey time to reconsider that decision and adjourned the case to April 7.
