*The man was contracted to work out of the DHL logistics facility in Shannon.
A DELIVERY driver contracted to work out of the DHL logistics facility at Shannon stole customers’ iPhones to fuel his ‘out of control’ online gambling addiction, a court has heard.
At Ennis District Court, Sean Lysaght of Beechgrove, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare escaped jail after pleading guilty to five separate counts of the theft of DHL customers’ smart phones totalling €1,822 in May and June of last year.
Judge Mary Larkin said that she would impose a suspended three month prison term commenting that Mr Lysaght “had engaged in activity that robs people regardless of his reasons”.
In court, Sgt Aiden Lonergan said that Mr Lysaght sold four iPhones on Donedeal.ie to make a gain while a fifth phone valued at €432 was recovered so the net loss was €1,390.
Mr Lysaght was employed by a sub-contractor which carried out deliveries for DHL from their Smithstown Shannon base across the region.
Outlining the facts, Sgt Lonergan said that the company in May 2022 noticed that iPhones for customers were going missing.
CCTV footage was obtained from DHL for May 23rd which showed Mr Lysaght placing items in delivery bags without scanning such items.
Mr Lysaght was arrested by Gardai and according to Sgt Lonergan made admissions to stealing an iPhone valued at €300 on May 23rd along with four other phones on different dates.
Solicitor for Mr Lysaght, Colum Doherty said that his client’s online gambling addiction had ‘got out of control’ at this time.
Mr Doherty said that Mr Lysaght had problems with online poker, local bookmaker problems “and used to go to poker machines in Galway”.
Judge Larkin imposed a suspended prison term after a plea from Mr Doherty that Mr Lysaght was the only breadwinner in the family and he stole to fund his gambling addiction.
Mr Doherty said that his client is dealing with his gambling addiction. He said, “He has permanent employment and is aware of the impact that this will have”.
Mr Doherty said that Mr Lysaght has full compensation in court for the thefts and handed it over.
