Colin Hammond
A young man who previously made hoax bomb calls which shut down a motorway, disrupted air traffic control and stopped 3,000 Intel staff from going to work has now admitted stealing a €5 wallet as "a dare".
Colin Hammond (21) had money to pay for the wallet and accepted his behaviour was "completely stupid".
Judge Dermot Dempsey fined Hammond €100 and ordered him to complete 240 hours community service in lieu of three months in prison.
The judge adjourned the case to a date in June for a community services report.
In October 2015, Hammond was ordered to complete community service after he admitted knowingly making a false report.
Hammond had been drinking with a friend who paid him €30 to make the hoax calls because his friend didn't want to go to work at Intel in Leixlip the following morning.
Hammond made two 999 calls claiming there were bombs located at Intel which would go off in 12 hours.
When asked who was making the call, he replied: "Islamic State."
The defendant, with an address at Bath Road in Balbriggan, was before Swords District Court yesterday where he admitted to stealing a man's wallet, worth €5.
The theft took place at Penney's, Pavilions Shopping Centre in Swords on December 15 last year.
Garda Keith Delaney said Hammond was stopped by security officers as he walked out of Penneys with a men's leather wallet, valued at €5.
Gda Delaney said Hammond has since apologised for his behaviour.
The garda accepted Hammond had paid for other items and had the money to pay for the wallet.
Hammond also admitted to possession of cannabis as well as having the drug for sale or supply.
Sergeant Bob Kavanagh said gardai obtained a warrant and searched the defendant's home on March 26, 2015.
During the course of the search, gardai found €490 worth of cannabis herb.
The court heard this search was conducted on foot of the Intel hoax calls investigation.
The court heard Hammond has one previous conviction, for knowingly making a false report.
He was previously ordered to complete community service on this matter.
Defence solicitor Fiona Kelly said Hammond has completed the community service order.
Ms Kelly said the defendant did have money to pay for the wallet and took it as "a dare".
She said this was "completely stupid" behaviour on behalf of her client.
The court heard that Hammond completed his Leaving Certificate but was later discovered to be dyslexic.
Ms Kelly said Hammond previously worked in retail, has a significant interest in driving and has completed a number of driving courses.
The solicitor also said Hammond has a good relationship with his parents but he "lacked positive role models" as he was growing up.
Via Independent.ie