Rail theft mans family home seized by a bank court told

 

A MAN who hired heavy machinery and ripped up 117 metres of iron track from the now disused Limerick to Collooney rail line near Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo, has been given a further year to come up with the full €5,000 compensation stipulated by a Circuit Court Judge.

Judge Rory MacCabe was told at a sitting of the Circuit Criminal Court in Castlebar today that Christopher Burke (49), Sarsfield Crescent, Charlestown, had only €1,100 available to make restitution to Irish Rail.

Barrister Diarmuid Connolly told the judge that Burke was in ‘dire straits’ financially and that his family home had been seized by a bank.

Mr. Connolly added that the accused, a construction worker, was a victim of the demise of the Celtic Tiger and was now endeavouring to get work in the north.

Judge McCabe adjourned the matter for a further year to enable Burke make restitution but warned that at that time 'my patience will have a limit.'

Last year, Burke pleaded guilty to the theft of 18 steel railway lines, valued at €8,957, the property of Iarnród Éireann, at Carrowreagh, Kiltimagh, in September 2012.

He also pleaded guilty to causing €30,000 criminal damage to the rail line and a boundary fence.

The accused had hired a digger, lowloader and a tractor before stealing a section of rail track.

Last year Judge MacCabe imposed a three years prison sentence suspended provided that Burke pay €5,000 compensation to the rail company within six months.