An insomniac who hadn’t slept for three days woke up in a school in Co Donegal after causing almost €2,000 of damage to the building.
Patrick McNamee broke into the Finn Valley Centre of Education in Stranorlar on May 28th, 2018.
As well as two broken windows, a number of computer monitors were smashed but nothing was taken.
McNamee, aged 29, appeared at Letterkenny District Court charged with burglary at the premises.
Garda Sgt Gerard Dalton told the court that a man had been seen hanging around the building before the break-in which resulted in €1,934 of damage.
After the break-in, Gardai viewed CCTV footage and identified McNamee of 22 St. Bridgets Crescent, Drumkeen.
His solicitor, Frank Dorrian, told the court that his client suffered from an insomnia-like condition and that he hadn’t slept for three days before the break-in.
He had taken to the drink in a bid to get to sleep but he woke to find himself locked into the school, didn’t know how he had got there and broken a window to get out.
Mr Dorrian said “He has a condition that makes it difficult for him to sleep and he hadn’t slept for three days on this occasion,” he said.
He said his client also suffered from blackouts.
“He was questioned about it but maintained he could not remember it,” added Mr Dorrian.
He added that McNamee suffers from acute anxiety and depression and spends long periods of time at home without going out.
However, he said his client was committed to paying back compensation for the damage he had caused.
Judge Paul Kelly adjourned the case until February 3rd next for a community service and probation report to be carried out on McNamee.