Gibson, on her phone, is driven from court after the case
A HAIRDRESSING student operated a text-a-getaway driver service for burglars, a court has heard.
Nicole Gibson, who is 20, and from Raphoe would offer her services to criminals behind robberies along the Border.
Garda Eoin Waters said Gibson had responded to the requests in removing stolen goods on three occasions which were before the courts, including a robbery at Royal & Prior school.
“She would be at home and would get a text message to pick people up,” said Garda Waters.
In the case of the school, she had hooked up a trailer to her car to make off with garden equipment stolen from the premises including an expensive Kawasaki quad.
On two other occasions – in Manorcunningham and St Johnston – she collected criminals and thousands of euro worth of copper stolen from houses under construction in the area.
Garda Waters said €3,300 worth of copper was stolen in the incidents – and €700 worth of damage done to the properties.
Gibson, whose address in court was given as Meadow Hill, Raphoe, but who now lives at The Green, Convoy, would then distribute the cash from the sold metals to the thieves.
“The copper was sold to a scrapyard in Derry,” said Garda Waters.
The tools from the school heist were later recovered by the PSNI, he said.
Gardai had launched an investigation into the thefts which took place in February last year.
Assistance from the public had identified that Gibson’s getaway car had been seen in he areas around the time of the thefts which took place over a period of six days. When she was questioned she admitted her role in the crimes.
Also in court was Michael Devlin, a 20-year-old with an address at Manor Court in Convoy but who now lives in Derry.
He admitted being involved in one of the copper thefts but had told police that he had received Stg£60 as payment.
Judge Paul Kelly described the incidents as “extremely serious”. Both accused had no previous convictions and he order probation reports to be carried out and presented to the court in October.
Devlin leaves court