A man who broke into what he thought was a priest's residence and stole £24,000 in cash, has been sentenced to three years' imprisonment at Galway Circuit Court.
Conor Stephen Colton (26), of Cookstown, Co Tyrone, was arrested before the theft had been detected after he was seen buying goods with about £5,000 in notes.
Garda James McDermott, of Mill Street Garda station, Galway, said the defendant had just been recently released from Tuam Garda station after being interviewed in connection with a stolen car. He then walked over to some people and asked where the priest's house was.
He was directed to the Dublin Road and approached a house which had at one time been a priest's house.
The house was unoccupied and Colton climbed in an unlocked window. One of the first drawers he opened contained a bank bag with £24,000 in cash, the property of a Tuam publican, Mr Paul O'Grady.
The judge sentenced Colton to five years but suspended the last two because he had co-operated with the authorities.