Theft charges for man using a ‘found’ bank card in shops in Kilkenny City
A man who used a ‘found’ bank card that was not his in several Kilkenny City centre shops has been convicted of theft.
Richard Fanning, of No Fixed Abode, Kilkenny, pleaded guilty to the theft offences, as well as a number of other offences which were before the court.
Kilkenny District Court heard that on September 11, 2025, Mr Fanning came into possession of a bank card.
He used it to ‘tap’ for purchases in several shops on High Street, RoseInn Street and other locations in the city, to a total value of €194.
Mr Fanning was identified as the person using the card using CCTV from the area of the shops.
Mr Fanning was also charged with being in illegal possession of drugs on October 28, 2023, when he was found with a small amount of diamorphine that he said was for personal use.
The defendant was charged with begging on October 2, 2026, when he was observed asking pedestrians on Kieran Street for money.
He was also charged with begging on September 16, 2026, when he was observed obstructing the door to a store on Kieran Street.
Mr Fanning was also charged with theft of a bicycle on August 9, 2023. It was reported missing from a bike rail at MacDonagh Junction. CCTV showed Mr Fanning taking it.
A short time later the bicycle was found outside an office a distance away.
There were 17 previous convictions recorded against Mr Fanning.
Solicitor Ed Hughes said much of his client’s offending was heroin related. The theft was a ‘more opportunistic’ matter.
Judge Geraldine Carthy asked for a pre-sentencing Probation Report to be prepared and adjourned the matter to a court sitting in February to allow this.