Man charged with autoparts thefts in Donegal says case is ‘going on too long’
The defendant has been in custody since April, with no directions as yet received from the DPP
A man who has been in custody since being arrested in Dublin by Donegal gardaí in April told the court he believes the case has been going on too long.
John O’Connor, 47, with an address listed as 75 Bride Street, Dublin 8, was before Sligo District Court via videolink from Castlerea Prison on Thursday, July 31. He is charged with a number of alleged offences, including a spate of autoparts thefts.
Solicitor Laura Spellman told the court that the matter was listed for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on all matters bar one, for which directions were already given.
A previous court heard that it is alleged that on January 19, 2025 at McCormack’s Mace Supermarket, Leitrim Village, O’Connor stole eight bags of coal valued at €152, the property of Hubert McCormack.The offence is contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. The DPP had directed this matter for summary disposal, meaning that it can be heard in the district court.
Sergeant Derek Butler acknowledged that DPP directions were still outstanding on the other charges, saying that the matter was being investigated by gardaí in Donegal, and that he had requested an update.
The matters on which DPP directions are still being awaited are as follows: It is alleged that on April 18, 2025 at Central Auto Parts, Letterkenny, O’Connor stole autoparts to the value €223, the property of Thomas McGee.
On the same date, it is alleged that at Robert Kee and Sons, Laghey, he stole autoparts to the value of €300, the property of Shaun Kee.
On April 12, 2025 at Top Part, Ballast Quay, County Sligo, O’Connor is alleged to have stolen autoparts to the value of €3,142, property of Nissan McLaughlin.
He allegedly stole autoparts to the value of €2,905, property of Rory O’Donnell, from Rory’s Auto Spares, Drimark, Donegal Town on February 2. And also at Rory’s Auto Spares, it is alleged that on March 30, 2024, O’Connor stole autoparts to the value of €512 and a set of Mercedes alloy wheels valued at €800.
All offences are contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
When the matter was initially before the court on April 24, Sergeant Devaney said that the total value of goods captured in the charges is €8,034. None of the goods have been recovered.
The sergeant alleged that O’Connor had used a number of different vehicles to carry out the thefts under cover of night, and had been clearly captured on CCTV at all the premises.
Sergeant Devaney added that he believed that the address furnished by O’Connor, and which was being used for his Disability Allowance, was not in fact his residence though it was the family home.
Bail was refused on that date and O’Connor remains in custody in Castlerea Prison.
The court heard that the defendant is before a number of other courts around the country on similar charges.
At the most recent sitting, Judge Sandra Murphy said it appeared that O’Connor had made an unsuccessful application for bail through the High Court.
Ms Spellman said: “It wasn’t our office that lodged it. He was remanded to a number of other courts in relation to other matters.
“The sergeant understands that it did incorporate these charges.”
Ms Spellman expressed dissatisfaction at the length of time that matter had been before the court.
“This man is in custody since the end of April,” she said. “There is very little progress in relation to the directions. I ask that the matter be listed as peremptory.”
The judge acknowledged that the matter had been before the court for some time.
“I will mark it ‘Expect progress,’” she said.
Ms Spellman pointed out that there was a maximum remand period of two weeks until the next court appearance, which could be extended to four weeks with the consent of the defendant.
O’Connor interjected, saying: “No. Two weeks. It is going on too long.”
Judge Murphy remanded the defendant in custody to appear via videolink before Sligo District Court on Wednesday, August 13. The judge said that if there was any change in circumstances, a production order could be made for O’Connor to attend court in person.
The matter of the alleged theft of coal on which DPP directions had already been received was also adjourned to August 13.