Man admits to spate of Letterkenny burglaries during court appearance

A man has pleaded guilty to a spate of burglaries in Letterkenny.

Matthew Lafferty appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court in relation to the incidents on September 20, 2024.

The 33-year-old, whose address is listed as no fixed abode, Letterkenny, pleaded guilty to three charges.

Lafferty admitted that he did enter premises as a trespasser and did commit an arrestable offence, to wit criminal damage and theft, therein. The charge is contrary to Section 12(1)(b) and (3) of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.

The charges relate to September 20, 2024 at Ace Barbers, Oliver Plunkett Road, Letterkenny; Future Style Barber Shop, Unit 2 Pearse Road, Letterkenny; and Mr Chippie, Ramelton Road, Letterkenny.

Lafferty spoke only to plead guilty to the offences when he was brought before Judge John Aylmer.

The defendant is in custody at Castlerea Prison.

Mr Peter Nolan BL, barrister for Lafferty, instructed by solicitor Mr Patsy Gallagher, told the court that his client voluntarily entered custody.

Mr Nolan asked for a probation report.

Judge Aylmer agreed and remanded Lafferty in custody until February 2026.

There is also a co-accused in the matter and the pair were also charged with burglaries at Zen Hair and Beauty, Port Road, Letterkenny; Uviolki, Pearse Road, Letterkenny; and Hue Hair Salon, Pearse Road.

The duo were also charged that they did without lawful excuse damage property, to wit, the glass of the front door, to the value of €700 belonging to Bernard Gibbons intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged. 

The charge, relating to Bronze Age, Port Road, Letterkenny, is contrary to section 2(1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991 and also related to an incident on September 20, 2024.

Ms Fiona Crawford BL, barrister for the State, informed the court that the guilty pleas could be taken on a full facts basis.