Man who stole keys for three ambulances at Letterkenny hospital refused bail

A man accused of taking keys for three emergency vehicles during a burglary at Letterkenny University Hospital has been remanded in custody.

John Stokes was brought before a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court.

Remarking that he “posed a risk” to the operation of the emergency services at a busy time of year, Judge Ciaran Liddy refused a bail application for Stokes.

The accused, a 30-year-old of Millrace, Belfast, he was charged that on December 18, 2025 having entered a building known as the staff locker room at the Ambulance Centre of Letterkenny University Hospital as a trespasser, he did commit an arrestable offence therein, the theft of three set of keys to emergency service vehicles.

The charge is contrary to section 12 (1) (b) and (30 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.

Sergeant Maurice Doyle outlined to the court that Gardai received a report of a burglary at the Ambulance Centre of Letterkenny University Hospital. A male was captured on CCTV entering various rooms, including a staff locker room. 

It became apparent to ambulance personnel that the keys of three vehicles - a Mercedes Ambulance, a Renault Intermediate Care Vehicle and a Volkswagen Transporter van - had been taken.

When Gardai viewed CCTV, Stokes was identified as the suspect. Officers called to a property in Letterkenny and Stokes was found lying at the front door.

He was arrested for burglary and the key of the Mercedes Ambulance was found on his person.

Sergeant Doyle told the court that the incident could have placed the wider public at risk, lest an ambulance be taken or that in the event of an emergency call that staff couldn’t mobilise an ambulance. This, Sergeant Doyle said, was at a time when the Ambulance Service’s work is exacerbated by a high volume of calls at this time of year.

He said there were no bail conditions that could alleviate the concerns of An Garda Siochana.

Mr Jason Laverty, solicitor for Stokes, said his client has various medical issues and an affliction to alcohol. 

“The incident is nasty at its height, although Mr Stokes is not accused of causing damage to or attempting to enter any of the vehicles,” Mr Laverty said. 

Mr Laverty suggested that the court could order Stokes to abstain from alcohol and further could ask the accused to undertake to stay out of County Donegal, save for court appearances. He added that alcohol is at the root of Stokes’ issues and abstaining would alleviate these. 

Mr Laverty asked the court to consider the time of year and that Stokes has three daughters. He said Stokes has medical conditions, including loss of sight in one eye, and epilepsy. 

Judge Liddy said he was satisfied that the State had met the threshold. 

He said Stokes had “very little regard for the rule of law in Donegal”.

Judge Liddy said: “He posed a risk to the efficient operation of the emergency services and I am not prepared to take that chance.”

Bail was refused and Stokes was remanded in custody to appear before a future sitting of Letterkenny District Court.

Legal aid was granted to Mr Laverty.