Letterkenny break-in stemmed from confused search for lost phone

A man broke into a solicitor’s office in Letterkenny believing it to have been a fast food outlet he left his phone in.

Joseph Ryan was before Letterkenny District Court this week.

The court heard that a door at Fiona Kelly Solicitors’ office at Lower Main Street was ‘busted through” on May 2, 2025.

Sergeant Jim Collins said CCTV was obtained and Ryan, a 23-year-old of Oghill, Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, was identified. 

Damage of €500 was caused to the premises. The court heard that Ryan did not intend to break into the premises to steal anything and “didn’t realise where he was going”, Sergeant Collins said.

Ryan was charged with burglary, contrary to section 12(1)(b) and (3) of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.

Mr Frank Dorrian, solicitor for Ryan, said his client came to Letterkenny and went out drinking with friends. After he “overindulged”, Mr Dorrian said Ryan became separated from his group.

His last recollection of having his mobile phone was in Pizza Max and Ryan went back to try to find it.

“He went to find his phone, irrationally at a time when it would not be open,” Mr Dorrian said. “He was completely disorientated and had no sense of the objective to what he was doing.”

Mr Dorrian outlined that Ryan went back in the emergency door at the rear of the building.

“The door was in the way of his misguided, delusional attempt,” Mr Dorrian said. 

The following day, Ryan returned to Pizza Max “to bring sense to what he did” having “managed to arrange himself at some level,” his solicitor added.

When Ryan arrived, Gardai were already present and the accused man gave a full account of what went on, the court heard.

“Ironically, he actually located his phone,” Mr Dorrian said, adding that his client’s behaviour on the night was “totally isolated and completely regretted”. He said Ryan, a trainee electrician, became “more confused and agitated” as the event progressed, but said he has no previous convictions and has behaved well since. Ryan has also compensated the firm of solicitors for the damage, Mr Dorrian said. 

Judge Emile Daly, noting the age of the defendant, the absence of previous convictions and that Ryan made good on the damage to the office, said he could avoid a conviction by making a €250 donation to St Vincent de Paul.