Case struck out of Donegal man with 157 convictions

A Donegal man with 157 previous convictions had a case struck out due to an issue with a European Arrest Warrant.

John Paul Reilly faced charges of criminal damage, theft and unauthorised taking of a vehicle in Manorhamilton.

Reilly, with an address at Railway Aveue, Killygordon, had previously pleaded guilty to offenses at New Line, Manorhamilton on May 25, 2019.

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

The case had been part heard in January 2023 and Gardai had told the court on May 25, 2019 that 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 Mr Reilly with the stolen property.

On February 8, 2023, Sergeant Lisa Sewell informed Manorhamilton District Court there was an issue with the EU arrest warrant Mr Reilly was arrested under and the State was withdrawing the charges.

Solicitor Whelan said on the foot of the information her client vacated his previous guilty plea.

Judge Sandra Murphy withdrew and struck out the charges.