Qld: Irish traveller sent home in disgrace for bizarre crimes
By Christine Flatley29 Jan 2009 1:52 PM
BRISBANE, Jan 29 AAP - An Irish traveller has been sent home in disgrace after committing a series of bizarre crimes while drunk.
Richard William O'Flynn, 25, was at the end of a two-year working holiday visa when he embarked on the unusual crime spree in Brisbane late last year, the Brisbane District Court was told on Thursday.
His most bizarre act was to take a goldfish into a Ticketek office in the CBD and demand money so he could pay for food to feed it, the court was told.
On another occasion he and a male friend got drunk and entered a cake store, where he demanded a "gay cake" for their "gay wedding". O'Flynn then picked up a cake decorating knife and threatened the assistant, asking for money.
When she told him she would call the police, he and his friend left the store, the court was told.
O'Flynn pleaded guilty to one count each of attempted armed robbery and attempted stealing.
He also pleaded guilty to using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence after repeatedly calling a real estate agent and abusing her because she left a flyer in his mailbox.
O'Flynn, who will return to Ireland at the end of the month, also pleaded guilty to wilful damage for kicking a car during an argument in Bundaberg.
Judge Milton Griffin sentenced him to 12 months' jail suspended after 80 days, which he has already served in pre-sentence custody.
Judge Griffin described O'Flynn's behaviour as "disgraceful" and said Australia would be better off without him.
"We will all be altogether pleased to see you go," Judge Griffin said.
