Prolific burglar who has struck across Ireland is arrested at hotel in Meath

A PROLIFIC burglar was arrested after his car was discovered at a hotel in Co. Meath this week, the Irish Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Patrick ‘Pope’ Maughan, a 57year-old grandfather, went on the run late last year after driving at a garda.

Maughan, who has over 70 convictions, was released from prison in November. He had been serving three concurrent sentences from three separate courts for theft offences.

Gardaí believe him to be responsible for a large number of burglaries and thefts across the midlands and east of the country since his release.

The MoS earlier revealed he was driving around in a Toyota Avensis and staying with a friend in various hotels. Maughan, originally from Ballymun in Dublin, was arrested this week after his car was discovered at a hotel in Gormanstown.

He has been linked to thefts from Armagh to Wicklow ‘and all counties in between’.