Donegal man who snatched hat from guard’s head and ran off admits theft charge

A young Inishowen man, who snatched an official-issue Garda baseball hat off a serving guard’s head before running off, has avoided a criminal conviction for theft after making a donation to a local charity.

Craig McLaughlin, of Ballyargus, Redcastle, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft, contrary to Section 4 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act, when he appeared before Buncrana District Court.

Defence solicitor Frank Dorrian told the court how his 22-year-old client grabbed the hat as an apparent prank.

“He thought it was funny at the time, but it’s not so funny now,” Mr Dorrian said.

Judge Emile Daly accepted jurisdiction after being informed that the value of the stolen cap was €30.

She quipped: “Does he have aspirations of becoming a member of An Garda Siochana himself?”

“You never know,” smiled solicitor Dorrian.

The defendant was put on his election, and opted for his case to be heard in the District Court, rather than in the Circuit Court before a judge and jury.

Sergeant Conor Mulkerns then summarised the evidence in the matter. He told the court that the incident occurred at 00.29am, during the early hours of Tuesday, December 23, 2025.

At that time, Garda Paul Maguire was on foot patrol along Main Street, Buncrana. He was dealing with an incident and speaking with a member of the public when a male ran up behind him and snatched his official Garda baseball cap from his head before fleeing the scene.

The male was later identified as Craig McLaughlin, and he was located at 1.13am by Garda Maguire at Market Square, Buncrana. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of theft.

“He was brought to Buncrana Garda Station, but the cap was not returned,” Sgt Mulkerns said, adding that Mr McLaughlin has no previous convictions.

Judge Daly joked: “The question is: What happened the cap?”

Mr Dorrian replied: “He discarded it in a moment of clarity.”

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The solicitor said his client is a trainee mechanic, who’s otherwise of good character.

Judge Daly directed the Redcastle man to make a €200 charitable donation to ‘All Roads Lead to Buncrana’, an annual fundraiser for Crumlin Children’s Hospital, which is supported by An Garda Siochana.

The judge said she wanted Mr McLaughlin to pay the amount himself, rather than a parent having to pay for it for him.

He left the courtroom and returned a short time later with a receipt for the €200 contribution, and the case was duly struck out.