Man in the Midlands with 114 previous convictions jailed for seven months for trespass

A defendant with 114 previous convictions who appeared before Longford District Court on charges of handling stolen property, trespass and theft was given a seven month custodial sentence and an eight month suspended sentence.

Edward McDonagh (43) of 2 Victory Court, Longford was before the court in respect of four separate incidents.

Sergeant Mark Mahon outlined details of the charges. Judge Bernadette Owens was told that at 6:15am on Tuesday July 12, 2022 a man was woken by a sound in his house. The injured party came downstairs and saw a man in his living room.

When the intruder fled the homeowner gave chase, following the trespasser to an apartment block. He called gardaí and showed them footage taken on his phone of the perpetrator. The officers identified Mr McDonagh and the defendant was arrested.

Garda David Gearty gave evidence of stopping the defendant in January of this year. The defendant was in an area known for drug dealing. When the officer opened Mr McDonagh's rucksack they found phones, laptops and vaping equipment.

At the time Gardaí were investigating a theft on January 27, 2023 from the E Smoke Vaping shop. A CCTV hard drive, €300 in cash and vaping equipment was stolen in the break in. On the following day, January 28, at 3 Geraldine Terrace, Longford an office was robbed of €6,000 worth of electronic equipment.

Mr McDonagh was detained for questioning and made admissions about being in possession of the stolen property.

Solicitor Brid Mimangah told Judge Owens the defendant had composed a letter to explain his circumstances to the judge. The solicitor said Mr McDonagh, who had 114 previous convictions, had a difficult life.

His mother died when he was very young and two of his brothers died from drug abuse. Ms Mimnagh said her client had made efforts to get his life on track, was engaging well with the Simon Community and endeavouring to address his issues.

Ms Mimnagh said the defendant is sincerely sorry for the fright he gave to the homeowner who found him in his house in the early hours of the morning. She said Mr McDonagh has no history of violence.

The solicitor said the defendant was on medication including methadone at the time and his mixing of drugs causes a huge problem.

“Drugs are not an excuse, just an explanation for his behaviour,” Ms Mimnagh said. The legal representative said her client knows there is an inevitable prison sentence, but expressed the hope that it would be “as short as possible”.

A Victim Impact Statement was handed in to court and the injured party attended the hearing. Having reviewed the VIS, Judge Owens said the it was “very straightforward” and commended the the injured party for “not gilding the lilly”.

The judge noted Mr McDonagh accepted full responsibility and has acknowledged his actions do have consequences for others.

Judge Owens referenced the “significant relevant previous convictions”, noting that “drug addiction is at the root of his issues”.

She imposed a conviction and sentenced the defendant to seven months in custody, backdating it to January 30 when he first went into custody for the trespass offence.

As the handling of stolen property offences were committed while on bail Judge Owens imposed a consecutive eight month sentence, but suspended it for 18 months on the defendant's own bond of €250.

The judge directed McDonagh to engage with probation service for that 18 month period.