Brothers in court over burglaries

Two brothers, with almost 100 convictions between them, have appeared in court charged with a series of burglaries across Co Donegal.

One of the brothers admitted to being behind eight raids in just two days.

Thomas Ward (19), of no fixed abode, had 23 previous convictions, Letterkenny District Court heard yesterday.

His brother Michael (24), also of no fixed abode, had 67 previous convictions.

The two appeared separately in court.

The court heard how Thomas Ward had carried out the raids on homes, takeaways and shops in Buncrana on March 3rd and 4th this year.

Ward admitted all the offences in court, as gardaí confirmed he was already serving a six-month sentence after being jailed in Castleblayney on March 27th for handling stolen goods.

His solicitor, Patsy Gallagher, told Judge Paul Kelly there was little he could say by way of mitigation for these "horrible crimes", but said Ward was addicted to drink and drugs and these had "put him on another planet".

Ward had raided three homes, a medical centre, an Aldi, a Lidl and two takeaways.

In one raid, at an Abrekebabra fast food restaurant, he stole a charity box from behind the counter, went to the toilets to empty €25 from it and then used the money to buy a meal.

Judge Kelly adjourned sentencing until June.

Thomas Ward told him: “I’m guilty for the whole lot and I’m sorry, judge.”

Garda Michael Hooks told the court how Michael Ward was spotted in the back garden of a house in Buncrana on March 4th.

He had a knife and a key to an Audi car, which he admitted stealing.

Resident asleep
The resident of the house had been asleep at the time of the 2.15am incident but a relative returning from a nightclub had met Ward at the house.

Ward was arrested and admitted the offences.

Judge Kelly jailed Michael Ward for a total of 15 months, commenting: “There is a serious issue in this county, and in many other counties, where burglars have been going into people’s homes where people are resident at the time.

“This man has an appalling record and I have no option but to deal with it by way of a custodial sentence.”