Man with more than 120 previous convictions jailed for Donegal burglaries

A 28-year-old man has been sentenced to two years in prison with the last six months suspended for sample charges of burglary.

Nathan Coughlan of 32 Silverhill, Bundoran, was before Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, November 15. 

Coughlan, who has more than 120 previous convictions, had previously elected for a number of theft charges against him to be heard before judge and jury in the circuit court. 

However, the defendant applied through his solicitor Rory O’Brien to change his election so that the case would be heard in the district court. He entered a guilty plea and expressed his desire for the matter to be finalised.

Judge Ciaran Liddy granted the somewhat unusual application.

Coughlan was sentenced to 12 months in prison for an offence which took place at the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, Church Road, Bundoran on November 9, 2021. He admitted the charge that he ‘entered as a trespasser and picked up a money box and tried to get the money out of same therein.’

For an offence of burglary American House, West End, Bundoran on January 13, 2024, he was sentenced to a further 12 months in prison to run consecutively. Judge Liddy suspended the final six months of that sentence.

A number of further similar charges under the Theft and Fraud Act were taken into consideration.

Coughlan was also convicted of dangerous driving, and was disqualified from holding a driving licence for four years. The offence took place on April 1, 2019 at Aughaderrard, Kinlough, County Leitrim.

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