LATE CHARGES

Gardai in conjunction with the former proprietors of the now defunct Power Video are launching an investigation into the whereabouts of a former Video Store Club member.

Glanmire's beloved video store, Power Video is no more and has been gone for some years now. Whilst our desire for movies can still be somewhat satisfied by it’s eventual replacement Director's Cut, its just not the same and some of us still pine for the days of endless browsing of shelves and some real quality pick n'mix.

Power Video in it’s heyday

Director's Cut has also replaced the once popular rental system for a more modern purchase of goods only system, which is a safer business model if a little less fun.

But it is the rental system that former Power Video customer Declan "Decky" Tate so cunningly exploited.

Back in August 2002, Tate rented a VHS copy of the 1999 Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones action thriller, Entrapment. However, the video was never returned. As was store policy, late charges were applied, €1 initial late charge, with a €0.50 charge for each subsequent day of delinquency.

After almost 18 years, or 928 weeks, the late charges now levied at Declan Tate stand at €3,248.50.

However, Tate no longer resides at the address given on his video club membership application form. It is believed he has emigrated to London, with the copy of Entrapment also believed to be with him.

Now nobody can blame Mr. Tate wanting to see this entertaining and stylish crime caper again and again, especially as it pits the 69 year old, but fit Sean Connery with the 30 year old svelte bombshell that was a pre-911 Catherine Zeta-Jones.

But to watch the movie again and again for close to 18 years? That certainly is a bit extreme. Even if the movie does have some excellent action set pieces as well as that memorable laser beam sequence with Miss Zeta-Jones. 

But it is still no excuse for absconding to England with a valuable piece of Power Video property.

Entrapment, 1999 (VHS)

Gardai are appealing for any Glanmire residents with information of Tate's London address to come forward.