Cranmore man, 28, admits to long list of theft charges

A SLIGO man who pleaded guilty to a raft of theft charges going back to 2017 has been placed on a two-year probation bond at the district court.

Mason Farrell, 28, formerly of Racecourse View, Cranmore, but currently living in Dungloe, Co. Donegal, stole various amounts of cash from unlocked cars in Carney, Enniscrone and Dromore West, the court heard. The defendant pleaded guilty to a charge that on dates between October 4 and 5 that at Slieve More, Carney, he stole a lady’s purse containing a driver’s licence.

On similar dates he pleaded guilty to stealing €130 from a vehicle belonging to Aaron Cawley at Cloch Óir, Carney. On similar dates, he pleaded guilty to stealing €20 from a vehicle belonging to Michael Timoney at Slieve More, Carney.

On similar dates he pleaded guilty to stealing €25 from a vehicle belonging to Michael Timoney at the same location.

And on dates between September 26 and 27, 2017, he admitted stealing loose change to the value of €50 from a vehicle belonging to Mandy Killoran at the Meadows, Enniscrone.

On the same dates and at the same location, he pleaded guilty to stealing loose change to the value of €50 from the vehicle of Artur Kuczewski. On the same dates and location, he pleaded guilty to stealing loose change to the value of €50 from the vehicle of Declan Kelly.

On the same dates, he pleaded guilty to stealing binoculars and a mobile phone from a vehicle belonging to Michael Smith at Four Winds, Pier Road, Enniscrone. On the same dates, he pleaded guilty to stealing loose change to the value of €50 from a vehicle belonging to Sabina Stoklaskove at Cloonmahon, Enniscrone.

On the same dates, he pleaded guilty to stealing loose change from a vehicle belonging to Loran Gilroy at the Fairgreen, Enniscrone.

On the same dates, he pleaded guilty to stealing €280 from a vehicle belonging to Con O’Mara at Gortnacladdagh, Enniscrone.

On the same dates, he pleaded guilty to stealing a black Canon camera from the vehicle of Patricia Finnerty at the Fairgreen, Dromore West.

On the same dates, he pleaded guilty to stealing loose change to the value of €50 from the vehicle of Seán Healy at the same location.

On the same dates and same location, he admitted stealing loose change to the value of €50 from a vehicle belonging to Noel Lavelle.

On the same dates, he pleaded guilty to stealing a blue flotation jacket, a brown leather wallet, drivers license and AIB Visa and debit cards from a vehicle belonging to Niall Gilroy at the same location.

On the same dates, he pleaded guilty to stealing Gore-Tex trousers and golf equipment to the value of €300 from the vehicle of John Lancaster at Carrowhubbock, Enniscrone.

On the same dates, he pleaded guilty to stealing loose change to the value of €50 from a vehicle belonging to Jennifer Van Aswegan at the Fairgreen, Dromore West

And he pleaded guilty to failing to appear at Sligo District Court on October 6, 2017.

Defence solicitor Gerry McGovern said a probation report was before the court. The defendant pleaded guilty to all charges.

Defence solicitor Gerry McGovern said the defendant was in the company of an older person who is currently in custody in connection with these offences.

The court heard that all of the vehicles were unlocked, and the defendant and the other party went around checking the vehicles.

The court heard the defendant had seven previous convictions. Mr McGovern said the comprehensive probation report showed the many difficulties the defendant had. He had moved away from Sligo and his own family and was now living happily in County Donegal.

The defendant was in a relationship and had a family.

But he needed to stay away from his own extended family in Sligo. Compensation was not possible as the defendant had three young children and it might be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

The defendant had greatly improved his life since he left Sligo.

Sergeant Derek Butler said problems arose when the defendant’s family visited him.

Mr McGovern said the defendant would continue to live in Dungloe. Judge Kevin Kilrane said some of the offences before the court were petty and some not so petty and they happened over a short period of time. They were opportunistic but stolen licences and cards can cause huge trouble and distress to the victims. They were of no use to the defendant and his actions were mean and nasty. Mr McGovern said the defendant had been in the company of a man in his 40s who was now in prison and was a “bad influence on him”. Judge Kilrane said the defendant could have said no.

The judge put the defendant on a two- year Probation Bond on condition that he attend all appointments with relevant conditions.

He was to report any change in residence or contact details, engage with one-to-one programmes and develop better problem-solving skills.

And he was to live in Dungloe for the next two years.