Suspended jail term for man found with stolen items
The defendant pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.
A man found in a car with stolen property has received a suspended prison sentence.
Shane McDonagh, aged 26, of Slievemore View, Ballytivnan, Co Sligo previously pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court to possessing stolen property and various items used during the course of a burglary.
The court heard that Gda Pat O’Malley stopped a Vauxhall Zafira at McDermott Street, Ballina at 2.30am on November 22, 2019, after noticing it was in a poor state of repair. There were four men, including McDonagh, in the vehicle and the driver appeared "anxious".
As Gda O’Malley spoke to the driver, he noticed items such as bolt cutters, a saw, a funnel and gloves in the car. There was a strong smell of diesel and the rear windows were painted black.
All four occupants became uneasy and left the car without being directed to do so and further assistance was required from Ballina Garda Station. During a subsequent search, it was discovered that a number of the items in the car, including two rolls of copper wire, a rake, a 25-litre drum of diesel and a can of lubricating oil, had been stolen from KN Networks, a contracting company.
Barrister Gerard McGovern said his client, a father of six, was a passenger in the vehicle and played "a lesser role" in the offending. The ringleaders were two older men and the stolen property was not on McDonagh’s person.
The case was adjourned until last week’s sitting of Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.
Diarmuid Connolly BL, said his client, a father of six, has "turned himself around". He is alcohol and drug free and has not re-offended since this incident.
On the possession of stolen property charge, Judge Eoin Garavan imposed an 18-month suspended sentence. On the possession of items used in a burglary offence, the judge ordered McDonagh to carry out 120 hours of community service in lieu of a 12-month suspended sentence.
