Pair admit criminal damage of valuable steel beams in Letterkenny

Two men have pleaded guilty to damaging valuable steel beams in Letterkenny.

Marcus Spratt and Patrick Crossan were before Letterkenny Circuit Court in connection with an incident on April 2, 2022 at Neil T Blaney Road, Letterkenny.

Spratt, a 43-year-old of Gortnacorrib, Letterkenny, and 45-year-old Crossan, of Trentagh, Churchill, were listed to go on trial in respect of the matter, but entered guilty pleas when formally arraigned before Judge John Aylmer.

Both were charged with an offence of criminal damage, contrary to section 2 (1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991.

They were charged that they did, without lawful excuse, damage property, to wit, steel beams belonging to PJ McDermott, intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged.

The two men spoke only to plead guilty.

Mr James McGowan SC, barrister for Spratt, instructed by solicitor Ms Alison Parke of PA Dorrian & Co Solicitors, asked that legal aid be extended to get a valuation on the steel.

Mr McGowan told the court that the original value of the beams was in excess of €100,000.

“They were not new beams,” Mr McGowan said. “They were sitting for some time.”

Barrister for Crossan, Mr Colm Smyth SC, instructed by solicitor Ms Parke, sought the same report on the valuation.

“The beams were essentially abandoned,” he said, adding that there was a “misunderstanding as to the ownership” and there was “an expression of deep regret that this happened.”

A probation and welfare report in respect of Crossan was also sought by the court. 

Judge Aylmer adjourned the matter for sentencing until the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court  in February 2026.