Man broke into five premises to get money for drugs

July 2, 2019

A man broke into a number of premises in Lifford to steal money so he could jump across the border and feed his drug addiction.

Michael Brennan appeared at Letterkenny District Court charged with a number of burglary charges.

The accused man, of Coneyburrow in Lifford was caught on CCTV carrying out the attempted raids.

Garda Sgt Jim Collins told the court that Brennan, aged 22, was observed breaking into a number of premises on March 29th last and also on April 2nd.

The premises included Blush Beauty, McCauley’s Restaurant, Peeking House restaurant, the Diamond cafe and Daly’s shop on Upper Street.

More than €600 was done to Blush Beauty, a further €1,000 was damage was done to Peeking House and €130 in damage was done to McCauley’s restaurant.

Various cash sums were also taken from some of the other premises.

Solicitor for the accused, Mr Frank Dorrian, told the court that his client suffered from an addiction to tablets including valium.

He said he broke into the premises to get cash so he could go across the border and buy such tablets on the black market.

He said “He was drug dependent and was taking valium and anything else he could get his hands on – depression and anxiety drove him to carry out these offences.”

He said that Brennan had now been referred to a drug and drink counsellor.

His client had €750 in compensation in court and these could be given to the injured parties.

Judge Paul Kelly said he was adjourning the case until October 7th to allow for further compensation to be paid and for a community service and probation report to be prepared.


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