A man has been jailed for five months for stealing alcohol and electrical items from shops in Donegal Town and Ballyshannon.
Nathan Devenney, who has 69 previous convictions and is currently serving a prison sentence, was charged with stealing over €1,100 worth of goods.
A 29-year-old, whose address was given as Sean Costello Street in Athlone, Devenney was brought to court in handcuffs by prison officers.
He pleaded guilty to the offences, details of which were given by Garda Inspector Angela Cummins.
On August 18, 2023, Devenney entered Timoney’s Newsagents, Bridge Street, Donegal Town and stole five bottles of Hennessy brandy and Grey Goose vodka valued at a total of €457. Devenney concealed the stash in a paper bag and left the store.
The goods were not recovered.
Devenney also faced a charge of theft from Homesavers, Saimer Court, Ballyshannon on September 18, 2023.
Devenney placed electrical goods to the value of €714.96 into plastic bags and left the store without paying. The goods were recovered and Devenney was arrested. He was described as being ‘cooperative’ with gardai.
The court was told that Devenney has 69 previous convictions, 22 of which are for theft offences.
Solicitor Mr Frank Murphy said his client was in Donegal visiting his partner and he had no money to buy alcohol.
Mr Murphy said Devenney has had ‘a career of petty larceny’.
“Money is not abundant,” Mr Murphy said. “He decides to take the items regardless. There was CCTV in all of the places – he was never bound to get away with them.”
Mr Murphy said Devenney was not in a position to offer any compensation.
Devenney is currently serving a sentence and is due for release in July.
For the theft of alcohol from Timoney’s Newsagents, Judge Brendan O’Reilly handed Devenney a three-month prison sentence, to commence after the lawful termination of his current sentence.
For the theft from Homesavers, Devenney was given a two-month prison term, to run consecutive to the other sentence.