Man jailed for spate of thefts at Roscommon stores

A man has been sentenced to nine months in prison for theft offences from Roscommon supermarkets following a recent appearance at Castlerea District Court.

Owen Maughan (40), with an address in Ballindrimley, Castlerea, Co Roscommon, appeared before Judge James Faughnan, where he was given three prison sentences, to be served consecutively.

Solicitor for the accused, Mr Ivan Moran, informed the court that his client was entering guilty pleas to the theft charges.

A no insurance charge before the court, relating to February 20, 2024, at Harristown, Castlerea, when he was stopped by Gardaí, was struck out by the judge. The theft charges relate mostly to stealing alcohol, with a total value of €627, and included numerous bottles of whiskey.

One of those thefts relates to July 10, 2024, when at 4.30 p.m., he entered SuperValu in Strokestown carrying an empty shopping bag. He proceeded directly to the off-licence of the store and placed nine bottles of Jameson Whiskey and Paddy Whiskey, plus eight cans of Bulmers, to the total value of €337 into the bag before leaving without paying.

Another charge on the same date related to Eurospar in Strokestown, where he again entered the shop with an empty shopping bag, into which he placed ten bottles of Paddy Whiskey, to the total value of €290.

Mr Maughan also faced a charge of stealing Christmas lights and decorations to the value of €50.94 from Wispy’s on Patrick Street, Castlerea, on January 20, 2024.

He has 61 previous convictions, the court heard, with six of those relating to theft offences. Mr Moran outlined that his client has “a drink problem he’s trying to address”.

Judge Faughnan proceeded to impose three prison sentences of three months each in length, which he ordered were to be served consecutively.

*Published under the Courts Reporting Scheme.