Terence McDonagh was jailed after he was convicted of theft for the tenth time
A HUSBAND and wife who were on a pilgrimage at The Graan Monastery have admitted stealing a smart phone, cash and a gold watch from a car, Fermanagh court has heard.
Terence McDonagh was jailed after he was convicted of theft for the tenth time when he appeared before court via video link from Maghaberry prison.
McDonagh, a 23-year-old father-of-three from Coolcullen Meadow, in Enniskillen was sentenced to three months in prison and ordered to pay fines totalling £90 after he pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and interference with a vehicle.
A prosecutor outlined to the court that on July 23, this year, at approximately 1.30pm, police received a report that a motor vehicle had been broken into at the carpark in The Graan Monastery in Enniskillen.
A statement was taken from Margaret Flanagan and Carmel Finnegan who told officers that €65, an iPhone and a gold watch had been stolen from their car which had its window partly down.
Police officers were told the only other people in the area at the time was the defendant and his co-accused. Officers took finger prints of the scene and went to search an area in Enniskillen town centre and a number of other places.
A short time later a black iPhone was handed in to police after it was found on the Sligo Road in a 30mph area zone.
Police went to a nearby house and found the defendant, who matched the description given by the victim, jumping over a fence.
When McDonagh was arrested he replied “I done nothing”. Officers searched his home and found a gold ladies watch, €15 and a €5 note. The watch was later identified as belonging to Ms Finnegan.
Police also spoke with a woman who matched the description given by the two injured parties.
The pair later appeared before Dungannon Crown Court the following day.
It was confirmed in court that the watch was returned to the owner but it was not known if it still worked.
His defence solicitor explained to the court that his client has a poor record over recent years however, there was a gap in his offending last year.
“After going on a spree he received a custodial sentence, however February was his last offence of this year,” he claimed.
“The chickens have come home to roost and he was released in May.
“A family member had invited them to the monastery on a pilgrimage. He succumbed to old temptations when he saw the open window and simply could not resist. €15 was recovered at the scene.
“His wife has brought €50 today, she is anxious to make sure this is sorted out. His record is clearly very poor and he has crossed the threshold and his family unit is under threat.
“Their mother has pleaded guilty to the same charges.”
Deputy District Judge Liam McStay described his record as atrocious.
“You may have shown an ability to keep your hands to yourself over a period of time but you have caused extreme distress to the injured party.”
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