By Fiona Ferguson and Sonya McLean
Peter Brazil (41) was caught on CCTV stealing the four kegs of Fosters and two kegs of Beamish.
Brazil, who has 268 previous convictions, was identified by gardai from the footage.
Brazil, of Saint Ronans Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to theft of the alcohol from The Great Wood Wetherspoons Pub, Westend Retail Park, Blanchardstown on September 7th, 2016.
The total value of the goods, which were not recovered, was €800.
Judge Pauline Codd had adjourned the case having heard evidence last July to allow Brazil time to engage with the Probation Service.
On Monday Judge Codd said Brazil had shown “all the hallmarks of a long-term drug addiction” and his health has also been impacted by it.
She sentenced Brazil to 18 months in prison which she suspended in full for two years on the condition that he engage with the Probation Service for two years.
“If you don't co-operate with the Probation Service you will go to prison. This level of thieving has to stop,” Judge Codd told Brazil after she acknowledged that although he was not the instigator of the theft he was “nonetheless culpable”.
Garda Terrance Nevin told Dara Hayes BL, prosecuting, at the earlier hearing in July, that staff at the premises called gardai after reviewing CCTV when a stock take revealed they were missing some items.
The CCTV showed a white transit van, of which Brazil was the driver, pull up and two occupants got out and put the kegs of beer, which were in the delivery area, in the van and drive off.
Keith Spencer BL, defending, said his client has begun to grapple with his drug addiction and is attempting to put order on his life.
