Donegal man with 157 convictions back in court

A Donegal man with 157 convictions has apprared in court in Leitrim over an incident in Manorhamilton.

John Paul Reilly, 8 Railway Avenue, Killygordon, was convicted of criminal damage to a vehicle, stealing property and unauthorised taking of a vehicle at New Line, Manorhamilton on May 25, 2019.

Reilly is currently serving a prison sentence, with a release date of February 2024.

Sgt Lisa Sewell said on May 25, 2019, a third party attended Manorhamilton Garda Station and handed in keys to a van along with items she said were stolen by her daughter’s boyfriend.

The van was located outside Our Lady’s Hospital, Manorhamilton. The front passenger window in the van was broken.

All of the property was recovered. The court heard the victim was out a total of €2,280 for the damage to his van, hire of another van and loss of earnings.

CCTV footage captured Reilly with the stolen property. The court was informed that the defendant has 157 previous convictions.

Solicitor Rory O’Brien apologised to Mr Gilligan, the owner of the van, on behalf of his client.

He explained his client had re-located to the UK following this offense and was only charged recently.

He said his client was raised with an element of theft and has since distanced himself for his family. He had been drinking and taking drugs at the time of this offense. He is in a new relationship now and wants to turn his life around for his two children.

“He has seen the light” the solicitor commented.

Judge Sandra Murphy was informed that the sentence Mr Reilly is currently serving is under appeal for severity.

she noted no compensation has been paid to the victima and said the court wanted to consider the issue.

The case was adjourned to February 8, 2023.