Three men who were caught-red handed breaking into the Office of Public Works at Fishery Fields in search of scrap to sell on received suspended sentences and fines at Galway District Court on Monday.
John Donovan (36 ) with an address at 54 Beal Srutha, Ballybane, Martin Donovan (39 ) with an address at 92 Clareview Park, Ballybane, and Martin McDonagh (22 ) with an address at 1 Ashley Apartments, Ballybane Road, pleaded guilty to burglary on June 6, 2011.
The court heard that at 11.55pm gardai responded to reports of a break-in at the Office of Public Works at Fishery Fields in the city, and when they arrived at the scene they spotted a silver Jeep driving away. The Jeep was followed across the Salmon Weir bridge towards the city centre when gardai observed a pair of boots being thrown from the Jeep. The Jeep, which was driven by McDonagh, was stopped and all three men were arrested in relation to the burglary. During the course of the break-in the door of the premises had been forced open causing €300 worth of damage and a number of items were taken including four vice grips and a pair of wader boots.
In relation to previous convictions Martin Donavan has 11 previous mostly for public order and road traffic offences, Martin McDonagh has 14 previous convictions including theft, road traffic offences, and public order, while John Donovan has none.
Handing into court €300 as compensation for the damage to the door defence solicitor Adrian MacLynn said that his clients had put their hands up immediately and had co-operated fully with gardai. He added that the “object of their exercise was they were looking for scrap... Their actions were stupid. They are seeking the clemency of the court, I ask you to give them one chance.”
After consideration, Judge Mary Fahy noted that both Martin Donovan and Martin McDonagh had previous convictions but “nothing in line with burglary”, and sentenced them both to eight months in jail suspended for two years on their own bond of €1,000 to be of good behaviour, and fined them €500 with five months to pay. For using his vehicle while committing a crime Martin Donovan was further disqulified from driving for 12 months, while John Donovan was convicted and fined €1,000 with five months to pay.
