Guest at Cork hotel stayed three nights but left without paying bill, court hears

A hotel guest who stayed three nights and clocked up a further bill for food and drink during his time there left without paying any of the total of €482 he owed.

A call was made from the Metropole Hotel in Cork to An Garda Síochána the day that 31-year-old Ross Meehan of 47 Woodview, Kilmoney Road, Carrigaline, County Cork, had left without paying.

Now at Cork District Court he brought the full amount of his bill to pay back the hotel before being sentenced for the theft by deception.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said the crime was committed on February 4, 2022 at the Metropole Hotel on MacCurtain Street, Cork.

Garda Alan O’Donovan received a complaint about a man who stayed at the hotel from February 1 to 4.

“He left the hotel that morning owing €482 for the room along with food and drink which he had charged to the room during his stay,” Sgt. Davis said.

He was previously convicted of committing a similar offence after a stay at Oriel House Hotel in Ballincollig, for which he was convicted and fined €500.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said, “The background issue is – now treated – alcoholism. It was not treated at the time and the offences happened around the same time.

“He is in recovery – clear for approximately nine months. Three months was spent in in-house treatment and he is now in aftercare.” 

Judge Olann Kelleher imposed a fine of €600 on the defendant for the Metropole offence.

Noting the fact that he now had two similar convictions, the judge warned that it would be jail if he committed another offence.