43-year-old man stole four bottles of champagne from Louth store
Iosebi Gelikoshvili, Triple House, Termonfeckin, Drogheda, had pleaded guilty in the district court but did not attend a subsequent hearing to finalise the case and was convicted of taking the Georges Clément champagne at Mace, Clogherhead, on June 4, 2023.
The appeal at Dundalk Circuit Court heard that a male entered the shop and removed the four bottles, 'reasonably priced' at €37 each.
The owner knew him by a nickname and that he lived not far away in Termonfeckin. He contacted Gardaí who retained CCTV footage from the premises.
When interviewed Mr Gelikoshvili made admissions. He didn't require a solicitor.
He said that he didn't have the money to pay and was not well, when asked why he stole the drink.
All four bottles were consumed. He told investigators, 'I drank it. What else could I do?' He denied it was champagne, rather wine.
The appellant identified himself from the CCTV footage and indicated he was guilty.
There were no previous convictions.
Barrister Conall Towe said that Mr Gelikoshvili, who had the assistance of a Russian interpreter, was waiting to have processed an application for asylum in Ireland. He worked in a fruit factory earning €520 per-week and paid €530 rent per-month.
He failed to turn up in the district court because he was unwell.
He had €100 and if given time would pay another €300.
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Judge Dara Hayes remarked that the appellant had two years to come up with €148, the total value of the champagne.
The matter was adjourned to July 29 and the judge indicated if the €300 was paid a small fine would be imposed.
The court directed that the €100 be given to the shop owner in the meantime.
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