Acquitted of theft after CCTV in Fairgreen deemed unclear
Carlow Courthouse. Photo: Michael O'Rourke
A 46-YEAR-old Carlow man has been acquitted of theft at Carlow District Court after a judge held that 360-degree CCTV footage taken of him in the shop was too unclear. John Brannigan, 150 New Oak Estate, Carlow stood accused of stealing a jacket worth €58 from Tesco supermarket in Fairgreen shopping centre in September 2025.
His solicitor, Joseph Farrell, pointed out while the CCTV footage was being played, it was “unclear as to what happened”. The footage was taken from the ceiling and recorded all 360 degrees of the shop floor, making it hard to see in close detail what had occurred when the defendant was in frame.
While it was being played for the court, Garda Craig Corcoran provided a narrative overview of what was happening.
Insp Conor Nolan conceded afterwards that this narrative could not be treated as evidence.
“Maybe you have better eyesight than I have, judge,” said Mr Farrell. “I don’t think I’m being facetious. Garda Corcoran may have had more time with that footage. I have to say, there’s a doubt as that footage is unclear.”
Judge Geraldine Carthy agreed with him and dismissed the case.
