Man (24) admitted taking parts off cars for selling

A 24-year-old man cut catalytic converters off cars which he passed on to others and got paid, Sligo District Court was told.

Before the court was Kyle Jinks of 28 The Woodlands, Ballytivnan who admitted stealing the catalytic converter off a car at Quinn Fox, Drumiskabole on the night of May 24 th-May 25 th 2017 valued at €700 and with stealing another from a car at Rosses Point on the night of May 27 th-28th, also to the value of €700.

Jinks also admitted entering McHale’s Sawmills at Hazelwood on May 20 th 2017 and stealing 83 rolls of fencing wire.

He further pleaded guilty to stealing €1,000 worth of diesel from lorries at Conlon’s garage, Old Bundoran Road on April 13th 2017.

Jinks also admitted being in possession of an angle grinder, syphon pump, diesel drums, balaclava and gloves with the intention of using them in the course of a theft on May 29 th 2017 at Topaz, Bundoran Road.

Inspector Donal Sweeney told the court that on May 30 th 2017 Gardaí observed the defendant in an estate at 7.55pm and he had no legitimate reason to be there.

There was rolls of fencing wire in the car for which he hadn’t any receipt while in the front there was a bag containing catalytic converters.

There were two chainsaws in the back of the vehicle and when questioned the defendant made admissions.

The Inspector said the catalytic con- verters would have been cut from the cars using an angle grinder and quite a lot of damage would have been caused during this process.

A catalytic converter would be part of the exhaust system.

Such thefts were quite common at the moment, he added.

Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor (defending) pleaded that the defendant would have been bringing the items to a person and would get paid for doing so.

He added that all of the fencing wire had been recovered.

The defendant had made full admissions to Gardaí.

Inspector Sweeney said the defendant had previous convictions.

Mr McGovern asked the court to order the preparation of a probation report.

Since the matter came to light the defendant hadn’t come to Garda notice since, he said.

Judge Kevin Kilrane adjourned sentencing to September 20 th and ordered that a probation report be prepared.