Two men jailed for burglary at St Augustine's Church on Derry's Walls

Shane Kavanagh (30) of Waterloo Place and Maurice O'Shea (35) of Westland Street both in Derry both admitted the burglary that occurred on May 7, 2025.

O'Shea further admitted burglaries at the Pickled Duck restaurant in March and also at the Walled City Brewery also in March. The court heard O'Shea was arrested following reports of two suspicious males leaving a church hall on May 7. Police found a window broken and a door that had been forced in, as well as a sum of money stolen.

He was found by police with cash on his person, as well as a note that was later confirmed to be from the church cafe.

O'Shea was also charged with a number of other robberies on March 17 and 20 this year after blood and fingerprints were found that could connect him to the scenes.

At today's sitting of Derry Crown Court both men were sentenced to terms of imprisonment.

O'Shea was jailed for 50 months with half in custody and half on licence. Kavanagh was jailed for a total of 27 months with half in custody and half on licence.