In a recent incident that transpired in Listowel, Mr Michael Roche, hailing from Limerick, has found himself in the legal quagmire for allegedly pilfering a pair of boots. This report delves into the unfolding events, underscoring the judicial proceedings that will ensue.

The stolen pair of boots, valuated at 17 shillings, lies at the heart of this peculiar case. Mr Sullivan, the prosecutor, was the first to shed light on the matter. Mr Sullivan asserted that the value of the purloined boots amounted to a sum of 17 shillings. The weighty matter before the magistrates was whether to exercise their jurisdiction to handle the case summarily.

It is crucial to note that Mr Roche’s criminal record bore thirty-three prior convictions. Among these convictions, one relates to larceny, while the others are linked to minor infractions. The presence of such a substantial history of criminal involvement undoubtedly weighed on the minds of the magistrates as they deliberated on the course of action to pursue.

During the proceedings, the accused, Mr Roche, chose to plead guilty to the charges levied against him. Such a plea, being an admission of wrongdoing, presented the magistrates with a pivotal decision to make. The jurisdiction they hold allows them to impose a sentence of up to six months for this case.

Within the courtroom, Mr Sullivan offered a suggestion, albeit with a touch of levity, that the accused might be granted the benefit of the maximum sentence as per the Act. This remark drew a ripple of laughter, perhaps as a result of the weight of the situation coupled with the candidness of the comment. Nonetheless, the Chairman of the magistrates swiftly concurred, affirming that a sentence of six months was indeed within the realm of possibility.

It is of utmost importance to reiterate that, in this report, we maintain an impartial stance, refraining from making definitive judgments regarding the guilt or innocence of Mr Michael Roche. The facts of the case, as presented in this article, simply shed light on the legal proceedings that have been set in motion in response to the alleged larceny of a pair of boots valued at 17 shillings.

Kerry News – Monday 24 August 1903