Donegal man admits theft after finding wallet and stealing money from it

A Buncrana man who stole €220 from a wallet he found in a local supermarket last year has avoided a criminal conviction after a judge applied the Probation Act.

Darren Thompson, of 25B Cloncool Park, Buncrana, pleaded guilty to theft when he appeared before Buncrana District Court.

The case was one of a small number to proceed in court due to ongoing industrial action by solicitors arising from a dispute over Legal Aid.

Sergeant Conor Mulkerns told the court that he had spoken with the defendant, who was anxious to have the matter dealt with.

Mr Thompson (54) told the court that he was happy to proceed without legal representation.

Judge Ciaran Liddy offered to adjourn the case, but Mr Thompson indicated that he wanted the matter dealt with.

Judge Liddy put the defendant on his election and asked him whether he wished to have the case heard in the District Court or before a judge and jury at the Circuit Court. Mr Thompson opted to proceed in the District Court.

He then entered a plea of guilty, following which Sgt Mulkerns outlined the facts of the case.

He told the court that the injured party in the matter attended Buncrana Garda Station to report that he had left his wallet in Lidl supermarket, Buncrana on June 30, 2025.

The following day, July 1, the man received a phone call from his brother informing him that the wallet had been found in Buncrana town, but that money was missing from it.

Investigating Gardaí subsequently viewed CCTV footage from the supermarket and Mr Thompson was identified as the person who had found the wallet.

The footage showed him picking up the wallet and leaving the store with it.

Gardaí subsequently spoke to Mr Thompson and cautioned him in relation to the incident. He then made admissions to taking the money.

Sgt Mulkerns told the court that Mr Thompson is unemployed and originally from the UK. He said the defendant had “had his troubles in the past” and is a recovering addict.

“He has apologised profusely for this. He says it’s out of character and he’s not come to adverse attention with An Garda Síochána before.”

The court heard that Mr Thompson had brought the full €220 with him to court and was willing to hand the money over to the injured party or donate it to a charity, whichever the court decided.

Judge Liddy ordered that the €220 be paid to the injured party.

The judge then applied the Probation Act, meaning Mr Thompson has avoided a criminal conviction in relation to the theft.