Former British army Iraq war soldier jailed by Kildare Court for food thefts
Soldier questioned by court on whether he had killed anyone during war service
“I won't answer that,” a former British army soldier who fought in the Iraq war, told Naas District Court when he was asked if he had killed someone.
Stephen Keane (29), with an address at 141 Cushlawn Park, Tallaght, appeared in court on charges of shoplifting.
He stole meat from Aldi in Main Street, Blessington, on November 8, 2017 and the same day took meat from Dunnes Stores in Blessington.
The court heard that Mr Keane, an Irish national, had a number of previous convictions, both here and in the UK.
It also heard that he had served with the British army in Iraq and was discharged from the army in 2012.
Mr Keane, who was an infantry soldier, said he got some counselling to deal with the army experience in Iraq before he came back to Ireland.
He declined to say if he had killed anyone during this term with the British army.
Judge Desmond Zaidan said the Iraq conflict was a war which never should have been. “All wars should never been. History shows they achieved nothing,” the judge added.
Mr Keane was apologetic for the two theft offences.
The court was told he had a number of previous convictions. These included theft and not paying train fares.
Judge Zaidan jailed him for 11 months on the Dunnes's theft. He had been in custody since September 20.
Mr Keane said he had been working as a bin collector with Panda but was let go on a last-in-first-out basis.
Judge Zaidan told Mr Keane that if he needed counselling he should ask to get it in prison.