Buncrana man found in car stolen in raid on Letterkenny business

A Buncrana man has appeared in court after being found behind the wheel of a car stolen from a Letterkenny car dealership.

Declan McCabe was before Letterkenny District Court on Monday in connection with an incident on February 22, 2022.

When questioned by Gardai, McCabe admitted to being in possession of a stolen vehicle, a Volkswagen Passat, at Dry Arch Service Station on the date in question.

McCabe, a 20-year-old of Letterfahan, Buncrana, spoke only to plead guilty before Judge Éiteáin Cunningham. A charge of taking a vehicle without authority was withdrawn, while McCabe, wearing a blue tracksuit top and shorts, also faced drugs charges over a separate matter.

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court how Gardai liaised with their colleagues from the PSNI who attended a road traffic accident involving a 10-DL Passat.

A daring gang stole three vehicles from Thomas Keys & Sons Car Sales at Ballyraine, Letterkenny.

McCabe admitted to Gardai that he was in possession of a set of keys, which were removed from the garage. McCabe told Gardai that he was not the person who entered the garage to take the keys. Sergeant Collins said the accused was fully co-operative when apprehended at 4.40am.

McCabe was also before the court on drugs charges.

On November 2, 2021 undercover Gardai bought two zip-locked bags containing a substance from McCabe. The transaction took place at Neil T Blaney Road, Letterkenny. The substance was analysed by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) and confirmed as cannabis to the value of €50. When arrested, McCabe was fully co-operative, Sergeant Collins said.

McCabe was charged with being in possession of a controlled drug, cannabis, for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying it to another. He was also charged with the possession of cannabis.

Sergeant Jim Collins informed the court that McCabe has previous convictions for unauthorised taking of a vehicle and theft.

Mr Rory O’Brien, solicitor for McCabe, said ‘tragic circumstances’ had befallen his client. “He has been in care for most of his life, since he was aged three, and he has had a very difficult background from foster home to foster home,” Mr O’Brien said. That is not to justify or condone what happened.”

The court heard that McCabe works with a carnival and travels often.

“He has maintained a position of employment and he is a hard working young man,” Mr O’Brien said, adding that McCabe recently got married.

Mr O’Brien said McCabe wished to convey an apology and he fully accepted his wrongdoing. McCabe has not come to the adverse attention of Gardai since the incident and had made full admissions regarding the charges.

Judge Cunningham said that in light of the steps McCabe has taken that he might benefit from a probation and welfare report. The case was adjourned until December 4 to allow for the preparation of the report.