Jason Shields (21), Carrickkerryathea, Main Street, Limerick and Thomas McCarthy (26) Castleview, Newcastle View, Limerick walked out of the Fir Trees Hotel in Strabane without paying their food bill of £44.30 on August 3 this year at 6.40pm.

Representing themselves in court, both men pleaded guilty to leaving the premises without paying, however they told the court that it was a “misunderstanding”.

The court heard that when Shields was arrested outside the Fir Trees he told police officers that he thought McCarthy had paid the bill.

Meanwhile, McCarthy told police when they visited him later that evening at an address in Greeves Park that he had left to go outside and get sterling from his car because he only had euros; while he was out the hotel staff rang the police and he never went back into the premises.

District Judge Liam McNally told the two defendants that it was a “mean offence” to have left without paying for their meal.

They were ordered to pay £15 each compensation to the Fir Trees Hotel.