Jail for thief whose crime spree included Donegal autoparts businesses

A man who pleaded guilty to six counts of theft, most of which are autoparts, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison with a further six months suspended.

John O’Connor, with an address listed as 75 Bride Street, Dublin 8, was before Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, September 5. He pleaded guilty to all six offences: 

On April 18, 2025 at Central Auto Parts, Letterkenny, O’Connor stole autoparts to the value €223, the property of Thomas McGee. On the same date at Robert Kee and Sons, Laghey, he stole autoparts to the value of €300, the property of Shaun Kee. On April 12, 2025 at Top Part, Ballast Quay, County Sligo, O’Connor stole autoparts to the value of €3,142, property of Nissan McLaughlin.

He stole autoparts to the value of €2,905, property of Rory O’Donnell, from Rory’s Auto Spares, Drimark, Donegal Town on February 2. And also at Rory’s Auto Spares on March 30, 2024, O’Connor stole autoparts to the value of €512 and a set of Mercedes alloy wheels valued at €800.

All offences are contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. Sergeant Oliver Devaney told the court that the total value of goods captured in the charges is €8,034. None of the goods have been recovered.

Solicitor Gerry McGovern outlined that a psychiatric report had been submitted which, though not indicating a particular condition, gave ‘a good outline’ of his client. The solicitor said O’Connor had spent a lot of time in the care of the Central Mental Hospital. 

Sergeant Oliver Devaney outlined that the defendant had, with the exception of the coal theft, visited each of the premises between 3am and 5am. He made no attempt to conceal his face. O’Connor used five different vehicles to commit the six thefts, with two of the offences taking place on the same night. 

The sergeant gave evidence that along with Garda Brian Gallagher, he travelled to Dublin and arrested O’Connor on April 23 while he was attending a post office to collect his Disability Allowance. 

“He was interviewed at length, but didn’t make any admissions,” said Sergeant Devaney. “None of the property was recovered. 

“At the time of his arrest, he had 29 car keys in his possession, every variety of car, in his pocket. None of the vehicles were located.”The sergeant said O’Connor was known to have lived at two addresses in Northern Ireland, one in Belleek and one in Derry. 

“His address for his Disability Allowance was Bride Street, Dublin, his family home,” said Sergeant Devaney. “We searched this house and were fully satisfied that he was not living there. His brother and mother confirmed that.”

The court heard that the defendant had 89 previous convictions, five of which came before the court in the last few weeks, having come to light following the defendant's arrest in April. Most others were for road traffic offences, some of which led to prison sentences, with a 20-year driving disqualification being imposed in Cavan District Court in 2020. 

Sergeant Devaney added: “He is not a typical type of thief, never been caught or convicted for any theft before. I don’t believe from my dealings with him that he benefited financially in a very significant way. He benefited to a certain degree but not next nor near the value taken from these properties. In total he had €1,100 in cash on his person when he was arrested.

“He seems to have a particular fondness for vehicles, low value vehicles located in different places around the country.”

The sergeant said that this had led to difficulties in the garda investigations, as the identification of a vehicle in a crime was usually a key factor. 

He added that other matters were still being investigated. 

Mr Govern agreed that it was a most unusual case. He asked the judge to deal with the matter as leniently as possible.

Judge Ciaran Liddy said it had taken a considerable garda effort to bring O’Connor before the court. He noted that while the defendant may not have benefited significantly, six businesses were adversely affected, suffering significant loss.

“He made no admissions and the property was not recovered,” said Judge Liddy. 

For the offence at Top Part in Sligo, O’Connor was sentenced to 12 months in prison. 

For that offence at Kee’s in Laghey, he was handed down a consecutive six-month sentence, suspended for a period of one year on condition that he remains out of all the affected premises. 

“He is entitled to credit for time served on these matters,” said Judge Liddy. 

O’Connor has been in custody at Castlerea prison since his arrest in April.

The judge set recognisance at a bond of €100 and cash of €100 in the event of an appeal. 

Sergeant Devaney made an application for a destruction order for the 29 car keys. This was granted by Judge Liddy. 

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