Kiltimagh man stole scrap metal from community development group
The defendant pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court.
A Kiltimagh man has been given a suspended sentence for stealing scrap metal from a local community development group.
Patrick Maughan, aged 62, of 12 The Fortlands, Kiltimagh, pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court to theft.
Gda Avril Hynes told the court that she received a report on March 19, 2022, from members of the Aghamore Development Group. The voluntary group had been collecting scrap metal from the local community and storing it at Aghamore Community Centre to dispose of it.
The chairman of the group told Gda Hynes that a silver Toyota Corolla had been seen acting suspiciously in the area. Another member of the group said he had witnessed two adults and a child loading the scrap metal into the boot of this vehicle and driving away.
Gda Hynes identified the defendant Patrick Maughan from CCTV footage. He was arrested and made full admissions. The value of the scrap metal was €500.
Maughan has 68 previous convictions, including six for theft.
Solicitor Brendan Donnelly said his client’s previous convictions ranged from 1980 to 2011 and he had stayed out of trouble for the past 12 years.
Imposing a three-month jail term, Judge Vincent Deane said Maughan’s long record was of concern but he agreed to suspend the sentence.
