Jailed for trespass and handling stolen property

A seasoned criminal, with more than 80 previous convictions, who broke into two Cavan businesses on the same night and was also caught with a horde of stolen property at his home, has been jailed for total of eight months.

Wesley Kinsella (33) with addresses at Ardkeen, and also Cluain Aoibhinn Court, both Cavan Town, appeared before Judge Raymond Finnegan at Cavan District Court already in custody on other unrelated matters.

He pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property including a handbag, bank cards, phones, and hand tools, at his Ardkeen address on dates between June 18-19, 2018.

The court heard that gardaí investigating recent thefts in the area searched the defendant’s home where they found a key for a Toyota Yaris (€350), house keys (€10), a Michael Kors handbag (€350), a Bessi purse (€350) containing €300, a Sony Xperia (€200) and Nokia phone (€20) and other items.

In a second related charge, the goods found in Kinsella’s possession included three screwdrivers, screwdriver bits, gloves, two sets of pliers, a pair of snips, nets, cigarette papers and tobacco, electrical tape, a wallet, bank cards and other assorted items.

In relation to the trespass offences the following year, the break-in at McIntyres Furniture on Dublin Road resulted in the theft of €300 cash and a CCTV harddrive. DNA taken from the scene matched Kinsella, as did a swab taken from Sheridan’s Insurance, College Street, where the property was disturbed but nothing reported stolen.

Kinsella’s most recent previous conviction was back in December 2020, but he has spent time behind bars in the past for theft related matters. He was represented in court by Cecilia Ní Choileáin BL.

The barrister said her client was pleading guilty to all matters, noting too that “most of the property” taken was recovered.

Judge Raymond Finnegan noted that Kinsella had lost the benefit of an early plea in the matter and previously failed to turn up for a court sitting. As such, he imposed two month sentences on each charge, all to be served consecutively to each other.

Kinsella is also charged meanwhile with assault causing harm to Desmond Hughes and possession of a knife arising from an incident which occurred at Dealz at Townparks, Cavan Town, on March 9, 2026. The accused was remanded in custody on consent for a further four week period as directions are still awaited from the DPP. He will appear again at Cavan District Court via video link at a sitting in May.

His alleged co-accused, Martin Brady (35) of St Marten’s Estate, Cavan Town, is charged with assault causing harm to Mr Hughes on the same occasion. He has since been granted bail, and was represented in court by solicitor Garrett Fortune. He was remanded to appear again in September, after summer recess.

* Published with support from the Court Reporting Scheme.