Stole handbag from car while victim was collecting her cat

A man who stole a woman’s handbag containing her phone from her car in Cloonloo has been ordered to return to court this week with ¤500 or face six months in prison.

Jason Maughan (25) of Barr na Trimoige, Kilkelly, pleaded guilty to stealing a black Coach handbag, Samsung phone and ¤10 cash from a woman on 11 th March 2016 at Cashel, Cloonloo.

Inspector Donal Sweeney said the victim had arrived to collect her cat from a cattery in Cloonloo.

While she was inside the building, another car pulled up, a man got out , walked over to her car and removed the handbag from the front passenger footwell of her car.

The theft was witnessed. Maughan later admitted to driving the car but the goods were never recovered. He had no previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Mr Gerard McGovern told Judge Kevin Kilrane that Maughan was the driver and his brother was the one who got out of the car.

“He’s guilty by association Judge,” he said. Judge Kilrane disagreed and asked about compensation for the woman.

“Yes Judge. That will not be a problem. If there’s money outstanding there’s no problem,” he told the judge.

He added that Maughan and his wife were suffering from depression and the case had “caused him a lot of anguish.”

Judge Kilrane said the men had come from Kilkelly to a very quiet peaceful part of the county and he wouldn’t ask what he and his brother were doing.

“He observes his brother stealing, if that’s not actual guilt I don’t know what is,” said the judge.

He ordered Maughan to return to court this Thursday, 1st March with ¤500 for the victim, “otherwise it’s six months in prison.”