Ireland Brian Ward jailed for seven months over Letterkenny thefts
Brian Ward, 38, was charged over a series of thefts and a public order incident in Letterkenny in 2022 and 2023. He was charged with allegedly stealing goods from Sweeney's Spar in Ballyraine on 20 July 2023, and with a public order incident at Letterkenny Retail Park and allegedly stealing trainers from TK Maxx on 25 August 2023, with the incidents captured on CCTV. Ward went into custody at Castlerea Prison two weeks before he appeared at Falcarragh District Court by video link, where he pleaded guilty. He was jailed for seven months for the Sweeney's Spar theft, with the other charges taken into consideration, and the sentence was reported on 20 June 2025. He is due for release in January 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced20 Jun
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Brian Ward, 38, has 95 previous convictions, mostly for theft and public order offences.
- On 23 February 2022, two males took clothing valued at €75 from Pennys, Letterkenny Shopping Centre, without paying, and it was not recovered.
- Ward was charged in connection with an allegedly lifting €43 worth of items into a pram and leaving Sweeney's Spar, Ballyraine, without paying on 20 July 2023.
- Ward was charged in connection with a public order incident at Letterkenny Retail Park on 25 August 2023.
- Ward was charged with stealing trainers worth €75 from TK Maxx on 25 August 2023.
- Cause
- The solicitor said the offences occurred during a period of chronic alcohol addiction.
- Investigation
- The incidents were captured on CCTV, and Ward made full admissions when questioned by gardaí.
- In court
- Ward appeared at Falcarragh District Court via video link from Castlerea Prison, was put on his election by Judge Ciaran Liddy, and opted for District Court level.
- Ward pleaded guilty to the offences, and Sergeant Collins told the court he has 95 previous convictions.
- Sentence
- Ward was jailed for seven months for the Sweeney's Spar theft, and the remaining charges were taken into consideration.
- Other details
- The solicitor said Ward voluntarily went into custody two weeks before the hearing.
- The court was told Ward is working on his addiction and taking courses in prison.
- Ward told the court he was sorry and that he was all over the place at the time.
- Ward is due for release in January 2026.
20 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man with 95 previous convictions was given a prison sentence. (donegallive.ie)
- whatOn 23 February 2022, two males took clothing from Pennys, Letterkenny Shopping Centre without paying. (donegallive.ie)
- whatThe clothing taken from Pennys was valued at €75 and was not recovered. (donegallive.ie)
- whatWard was charged in relation to an incident at Sweeney's Spar Express, Ballyraine, on 20 July 2023. (donegallive.ie)
- whatWard allegedly lifted items valued at €43 and placed them in a pram before leaving the Sweeney's Spar store without paying. (donegallive.ie)
- whatWard was charged in connection with a public order incident at Letterkenny Retail Park on 25 August 2023. (donegallive.ie)
- whatOn the same date, Ward faced a charge for stealing trainers worth €75 from TK Maxx. (donegallive.ie)
- causeThe solicitor said the offences occurred at the height of chronic alcohol addiction. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationWard made full admissions when questioned by gardaí. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe incidents were captured on CCTV. (donegallive.ie)
- courtWard appeared before Falcarragh District Court via video link from Castlerea Prison. (donegallive.ie)
- courtJudge Ciaran Liddy put Ward on his election and the matter was heard at District Court level. (donegallive.ie)
- courtWard pleaded guilty to the offences. (donegallive.ie)
- courtSergeant Collins told the court that Ward has 95 previous convictions, mostly for theft and public order matters. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceWard was jailed for seven months for the Sweeney's Spar theft. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe remaining charges were marked as taken into consideration. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe solicitor said Ward voluntarily went into custody two weeks before the hearing. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe court was told Ward is working on his addiction and undertaking courses in prison. (donegallive.ie)
- otherWard is due for release in January 2026. (donegallive.ie)
- otherWard told the court he was sorry and that he was all over the place at the time. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Jun2025Man with 95 convictions jailed over Letterkenny thefts
Court report of a sentencing hearing covering several Letterkenny incidents from 2022 and 2023, including a Pennys shoplifting, the Sweeney's Spar theft (seven-month sentence), a Letterkenny Retail Park public order incident and a TK Maxx theft. Ward has 95 previous convictions and is in custody at Castlerea Prison.
convicted, Brian Ward, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian Ward