Worker (54) who was let go from job 'borrowed' van from ex-employer to get home

Gervais Kathende (54) had just been let go by the company but still had a keycard to the company's yard, and he used it to enter it and borrow the van.

The company used the tracker on the van and traced it to the defendant's home. Judge David McHugh ordered Kathende to donate €100 to Blanchardstown Hospice and he struck out the charge.

The defendant, with an address at Rossberry Park in Lucan, admitted using a vehicle without the consent of the owner.

Garda Shane Devereux told Blanchardstown District Court he took a report on March 2, 2021 from NVD that a Renault mastervan had been taken from their yard at Baldonnel.

Gda Devereux said Kathende, a former employee of the company, entered the yard and took the van.

Defence solicitor Simon Fleming said this incident was "an act of unparalleled stupidity" and Kathende used the van because it was convenient and he wanted to get home.

Kathende had intended to return the van, Mr Fleming said. However, the company tracked the van to his home before he did so.

Mr Fleming said the defendant was originally from the Congo, and came to Ireland 23 years ago as a refugee. He had six children and was separated.

Mr Fleming also said the business was not discommoded by what had happened.