A husband and wife were before Castlebar District Court this week following the theft of a fishing rod from a car, which was obtained by smashing the car’s window as it was parked beside Beltra Lake, Glenisland — a well-known fishing spot. Judge Mary Devins said that such “thuggery” was “destroying tourism” in Mayo.
On May 20 2011, gardaí responded to a report that criminal damage had been caused to two cars parked up at the lake. The left passenger windows of both cars were smashed, with a total of €700 damage caused — €300 worth of damage to one car and €400 worth of damage to the other car. A €189 fishing rod was also removed from one of the cars.
CCTV covered the location and gardaí identified Jason McDonagh, 1 St Joseph’s, Spencer Street, Castlebar, and Kathleen McDonagh, 8 Riverdale Court, Knockthomas, Castlebar.
The court heard that Jason McDonagh (20 ), who has 11 previous convictions, took the rod while Kathleen McDonagh (22 ), who has no previous convictions, drove Jason from the scene.
The rod, which was recovered, had been brought by the defendants to an uncle.
Judge Devins said that Jason McDonagh has been given “many chances by me”. However, he commented, “this very mean, unpleasant offence” as when people go fishing and come back to this “thuggery” it is “simply and utterly unacceptable”. The judge said that this sort of crime is “destroying the wild pursuits” that people of Mayo enjoy and also is “destroying tourism” as people cannot relax when they park their cars.
The judge said to the defendant that it is “the end of the line” for him and convicted and fined him €500 for theft and sentenced him to three months in detention. For one of the section two criminal damage charges he was convicted and fined €500 and sentenced to three months in detention consecutive. For the second section two criminal damage McDonagh was convicted and fined €500 and sentenced to three months detention consecutive. The final two months are to be suspended for a period of 12 months on the condition that €700 compensation be made available to the injured parties, on or before the release date.
Judge Devins said to Kathleen McDonagh that “you were aiding and abetting your husband” and she remanded her on continuing bail for sentencing to July 4 2012.
