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22 Dec 2025

Man charged with stealing large quantities of medical equipment and items from chemist

Michael Cairns (36) of Capall Court in Derry was initially charged with, on December 10, burglary after police were contacted by staff in the A&E department of Altnagelvin Hospital about a patient who had gained access to a staff only area

£250,000 fraud case involving Donegal woman adjourned at Derry Magistrate's Court

Derry Magistrates' Court

Reporter:

Court Reporter

22 Dec 2025 1:33 PM

Email:

news@derrynow.com

A police officer has told Derry Magistrates' Court of how 'items must have jumped into the bag' of a man appearing on charges of stealing large quantities of medical equipment and items from a chemist with a value of over £1,000.
Michael Cairns (36) of Capall Court in Derry was initially charged with, on December 10, burglary after police were contacted by staff in the A&E department of Altnagelvin Hospital about a patient who had gained access to a staff only area.
Cairns was reported to be wearing a coat and scarf belonging to a member of staff and possessing a pair of scissors and, when searched, a small amount of class C drugs was found on his person.
He was also reported to have taken a blood sugar reader belonging to the hospital.
After being released on police bail Cairns was arrested two days later on December 12 after staff in a local hotel contacted police to report that he was refusing to pay for his room.
Police entered the room and found a defibrillator from a still-unknown location. 
On December 18, it was reported that Cairns had entered a MediCare pharmacy and asked to speak to a member of staff.
When there, he was seen to put a number of items into a carrier bag, including hair removal cream, urine sample kits and a camera, with a total value of £1,300.
He was subsequently arrested and when questioned admitted to taking the items but claimed that he didn't plan on keeping them.
He also claimed that he took the items 'by accident'.
When the charges were read to him Cairns told custody staff that he had hearing difficulties but the police officer in court said he had no difficulties hearing when he was arrested. 
Police objected to bail as they believe he is at high risk of reoffending and is a risk to the public due to the alleged thefts of medical equipment.
Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that there have been 'real concerns' for Cairns' mental health since he was taken into custody.
He called his behavior 'bizarre' but said that it stems from 'mental health issues'.
In the bail application, he asked that Cairns be barred from entering any chemists but police said that he is already barred from every MediCare in the north.
Bail was refused and he will appear again on January 15.

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