Ballylinan man jailed for three months over caravan theft
Carlow Courthouse
A Ballylinan man with ten previous convictions has been sentenced to three months’ imprisonment for stealing a caravan, which was never recovered. William Donoghue, 2, The Crescent, Ballylinan appeared before the court, where garda evidence outlined how his jeep’s movements had been traced back to his address following the theft.
The court heard that Mr Donoghue drove into the victim’s yard, hitched up the caravan and drove away with it.
While it was suggested in mitigation that the defendant took the caravan to repay a debt, Judge Patricia Cronin noted there was “no evidence this is the case”.
Defence solicitor Joe Farrell told the court his client had been “hoodwinked” in relation to his motivation for taking the caravan. He said Mr Donoghue was currently in custody and had suffered injuries recently while in prison, adding “he hasn’t had it easy in custody”.
The majority of Mr Donoghue’s ten previous convictions are road-traffic related, with only one for theft. His most recent conviction was on 2 August 2024 at Carlow District Court for criminal damage, resulting in a five-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
Judge Cronin initially considered seeking a victim impact statement, but at second call, Mr Farrell informed the court that the victim did not wish to provide one.
When it was noted that the caravan had never been recovered, Mr Farrell responded that “it wasn’t within Mr Donoghue’s possession to recover, it was passed on to someone else”.
Mr Farrell told the court that his client is currently on remand in Wheatfield Prison and due to appear at the circuit court in July.
Judge Cronin, considering all evidence and mitigation, and noting that the defendant was “fully co-operative”, nevertheless said: “This is a nasty offence. There was no compensation forthcoming to the owner. It has crossed the threshold to custodial.” She imposed a three-month prison sentence dating from the day of the court sitting.
The judge also activated a section 99 provision relating to Mr Donoghue’s suspended sentence from Carlow District Court dated 2 August 2024.
Judge Cronin set a €100 fixed bail own bond, remanding the defendant in custody with consent to bail to Carlow District Court on 4 June. A fixed recognisance of €100 own bond in cash was also set for any potential appeal.
