Jail for man who left ambulances out of action at Letterkenny hospital

A man who stole keys for five emergency vehicles at Letterkenny University Hospital has been jailed.

One of the vehicles was out of action for four weeks while three others could not be used for two days. 

Judge Ciaran Liddy said the actions of John Stokes “may well have cost lives”.

At Letterkenny District Court, Stokes, who was brought from Castlerea Prison, was sentenced to a year in prison, with the final nine months of that term suspended. 

The accused, a 30-year-old of Millrace, Belfast, 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 five sets 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 told the court that a 4x4 support vehicle was unavailable for up to four weeks. A key had to be specially brought in from Galway in the case of this vehicle.

The court heard that three vehicles - a Renault Intermediate Care vehicle, a Volkswagen Transporter van and a Frontline Care vehicle - were out of action for 48 hours. In the case of these three vehicles, spare keys had to be obtained in Galway and brought to Letterkenny. 

Following Stokes’ arrest, a key for a Mercedes Ambulance was located on his person. That vehicle was out of use for 24 hours. 

Sergeant Doyle said the incident occurred at a time when the Ambulance Service’s work is exacerbated by a high volume of calls at this time of year.

Solicitor for Stokes, Mr Jason Laverty, said his client pleaded guilty at an early stage and has waived his right to disclosure.

Mr Laverty said that Stokes has expressed his apologies and now appreciates the seriousness of the charges and the consequences of the ambulances being out of action.

“This incident came about as a result of an affiliation with alcohol,” Mr Laverty said. “He has very little recollection of the entire day, let alone the incident. That is for two reasons: His mental health difficulties after suffering an assault that resulted in brain damage and epilepsy; and also due to his level of inebriation.”

Mr Laverty said his client has one previous conviction, for a theft matter the same week as this incident.

He said Stokes is not from Donegal and was in the area as he was visiting his grandmother’s house. 

“He is quite a placid young man and there is no excuse for what happened,” Mr Laverty said.

Sentencing Stokes, Judge Liddy said his actions may well have cost lives. 

Previously, Judge Liddy, in remanding Stokes in custody, said the accused has “very little regard for the rule of law in Donegal” and added: “He posed a risk to the efficient operation of the emergency services”.

To mark the seriousness of the offence, Judge Liddy sentenced Stokes to one year in prison. The last nine months were suspended for one year and credit is to be given for any time served by Stokes, who has been in custody since being refused bail on December 19.