Five months in jail for theft from Cootehill store

A FATHER has pleaded guilty to theft at Cavan District Court as he wants to “start a new life” with his partner.

Charlie McDonagh (23) with an address at Castlemeadows, Ring Road, Trim, Co Meath, appeared in court by video link from prison where he is serving a two-month sentence for theft handed down at Mullingar District Court on August 16.

He was wanted in Cavan for the theft of property, valued at €600, from Foy’s SuperValu, Homevalue and Euronics store on Market Street, Cootehill, over five years ago on August 18, 2020.

That case was adjourned a total of 16 times. McDonagh had failed to turn up to some of his previous hearings and, consequentially, bench warrants issued for his arrest.

When his case finally came to Cavan District Court, he faced one charge of theft and one charge of failing to appear.

In dealing with just the “simple section 4 theft” case before him, Judge Raymond Finnegan said McDonagh could enter a plea.

Sergeant Damian Galligan of Cavan Garda Station said the defendant was accompanied by two other males during the theft of €600 worth of property from the Cootehill store and that the property was never recovered. The guard also said McDonagh had a litany of previous convictions for theft dating back to 2018 and some road traffic offences.

“The only way I can deal with you today is if you enter a plea,” the judge told McDonagh, “but that’s up to you.”

McDonagh took up the offer and said: “Yeah, I’ll plead to both.”

Defence barrister Dimitry Grinberg described his client as a father to four children. He has suffered a number of personal tragedies, the barrister also explained. “He wants to finalise everything and start a new life with his partner,” Mr Grinberg said.

“His record is very poor,” Judge Finnegan pointed out before sentencing Charlie McDonagh to five months in prison, backdated to when he was taken into custody on August 16. The charge of failing to appear in court was taken into consideration.