Judge says man learned lesson after €1,000 donation for lifebuoy theft

A man paid the Royal National Lifeboat Institution €1,000 after he had pleaded guilty to the theft of a lifebuoy and other offences on nights out in Donegal Town.

Paul McCann, 23, of 100 Corrbo Road, Seskinore, Omagh, Tyrone, appeared at Ballyshannon District Court, before Judge Éitéain Cunningham, at Ballyshannon Courthouse.

Judge Cunningham struck off a charge of stealing property, a lifebuoy, at Donegal Bay Waterbus on December 1, 2024, contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, after the court heard that €1,000 had been paid to the RNLI.

McCann was fined €300, payable within four months, for a charge on March 30, 2025, at Apache Pizza, The Diamond, Donegal Town, where he did without lawful authority or excuse, possess stolen property, to wit, a s Samsung S24 Ultra mobile phone, knowing that the property was stolen or was reckless as to whether it was stolen.

A further charge, that on November 15, 2025, at Quay Street, Donegal Town, McCann was present in said public place while intoxicated to such an extent as would give rise to a reasonable apprehension that you might endanger yourself or any other person in your vicinity, contrary to Section 22 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008, was taken into consideration.

McCann’s solicitor, Gerry McGovern, told the court: “This man was to pay certain monies. €1,000. He has paid it. He pleaded guilty to the matters.

Judge Cunningham replied: “The court has a variety of different sentencing options. I am noting, as I indicated previously, there are very serious matters.”

Mr McGovern replied: “It is a very serious situation.”

Turning to McCann, Mr McGovern said: “Do you realise that this is madness? To interfere with a life buoy that could save somebody’s life, is an awful act. You have not been in any trouble since.

“I think he is embarrassed with his mum to be here today. It is not nice and he regrets it deeply.”

Judge Cunningham stated: “The mobile phone is a serious situation as it was taken from the owner in regards to the melee at the time.

“He has no previous convictions I am going to convict and fine €300.

“I would say it was quite clear to him how expensive that this type of behaviour has been for him where he had paid €1,000 to the RNLI, bail monies to the state, and a fine of €300 payable within four months. I hope that he has learned his lesson.

“To be fair to him, he did cooperate at every turn and I have to take into account no previous convictions.”