A man was jailed in Naas District Court today for a burglary at Glennon's Funeral Home in Allenwood in May last year.
The court was told that two men had ransacked the premises and taken a hearse and three other vehicles out of a private yard at around 6am in the morning.
The gang's Ford Transit van had earlier became stuck in soft ground and the Funeral Home's vehicles were used to push it forward to free it's wheels.
Gardai were called and were alerted that two men were acting suspiciously behind a hedge in a nearby field.
The pair were eventually apprehended after a two-hour foot chase by officers from nearby garda stations.
A total of €10,000 worth of damage was caused to the four cars owned by Glennon's Funeral Home.
There was also €1,100 damage caused to a wooden fence that a vehicle had rammed through.
The court heard that Glennon's had to later borrow another hearse for funerals while its own vehicle was being repaired.
A man before Naas District Court in relation to the offences had previous convictions for handling stolen property, public order and road traffic offences.
Judge Desmond Zaidan commented: "Thankfully there was nobody's loved one lying in the Funeral Home or in the hearse at the time."
He added: "There was a significant amount of damage done."
The court was told that the defendant had suffered psychological problems since his cousin was stabbed to death last year.
He became addicted to heroin and the crimes in Allenwood were designed to feed his expensive habit.
Judge Zaidan sentenced the man to 11 months in prison for the burglary and a further six months for unlawfully taking a car.
A six-year driving ban was also imposed.
If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Kildare Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 045 409350. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 086 729 0010. Or you can email content@kildarenow.com at any time.