A South Armagh man who was caught with a truckload of stolen alcohol worth £19,699 was jailed for two years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court yesterday.
Donald McDonald (35), of Traynor Crescent, Crossmaglen, pleaded guilty to handling stolen property and to criminal damage to a patrol car on July 14th, 1999.
Det Garda Michael Cawley told Ms Pauline Whalley, prosecuting, that the Irish Distillers truck had been stolen the previous day in Rath farnham, Dublin. Det Garda Cawley said McDonald was driving the truck towards Belfast.
When flashed to pull over by a Garda patrol car near Balbriggan, the truck speeded up and when a second Garda car pulled in front of the truck McDonald rammed it, causing £1,600 damage.
Det Garda Cawley said McDonald refused to say who he was working for, saying his life would not be worth living if he did. He was paid £250 for moving the alcohol, mainly wines and spirits.
Mr Brendan Grehan, defending, said his client undertook the job because his wife was expecting their second baby and they needed money. He said his client wished to apologise to gardai for his actions.