Man admits theft, assault, criminal damage and public order offences in Donegal
The offences took place at a number of locations in Donegal, including shops and Ballyshannon and Bundoran, and on public streets
A district court judge has ordered that a probation report be furnished in respect of a man charged with assault, criminal damage, theft and a number of public order offences.
John Higgins, 57, of 3 Brighton Terrace, was before Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, May 15. He pleaded guilty to all offences before the court.
Higgins stole groceries valued at €28, property of Rossa McCosker, Centra, Assaroe Road, Ballyshannon on June 1, 2019. The offence is contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
He was given the option of having the matter dealt with in the district court, or before judge and jury in the circuit court. Higgins elected to keep the case in the district court.
The defendant is charged with assaulting Rossa McCosker at Centra, Assaroe Road, Ballyshannon on June 2, 2019. The offence is contrary to Section 2 of the Non-fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.
He is further charged on the same date with criminal damage of shelves of potted plants to the value of €358.80, property of Rossa McCosker, Centra. That offence is contrary to Section 2(1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. Judge Éiteáin Cunningham accepted jurisdiction for the criminal damage charge, meaning that it could be dealt with in the district court rather than being moved up to the circuit court.
Higgins admitted being intoxicated to the extent of being a danger to himself or others, and with threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at Portnason, Ballyshannon on May 9, 2019. The offences are contrary to Sections 4 and 6 of the Public Order Act.
The defendant pleaded guilty to three further counts of being intoxicated to the extent of being a danger to himself or others, and with threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour on Main Street Bundoran on May 18, May 25 and June 17, 2019.
He admitted engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at Super Valu, Bundoran on July 6, 2019. And he further admitted being intoxicated to the extent of being a danger to himself or others at Westport, Ballyshannon on July 9, 2019.
Solicitor Gerry McGovern was acting as agent for solicitor Patsy Gallagher.
In entering a guilty plea on behalf of the defendant, Mr McGovern said: “We are asking that the matter be referred to the probation service.”Judge Cunningham directed a probation and welfare report on all matters, and a report on suitability for community service.
Noting the strain on the probation service at present, she adjourned the matter to September 18.
Legal aid was granted and assigned to Mr Gallagher.