Sunday 1 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 21910Theft · Co. Leitrim · 13 Dec 2021

Brian Ward pleads guilty to stealing alcohol from Spar in Kinlough

Brian Ward, 36, of Oakgrove, Kinlough, pleaded guilty to stealing a bottle of rum and a bottle of vodka worth approximately €59 from Spar, Main Street, Kinlough, on 13 December 2021. Judge John Aylmer adjourned the matter to Letterkenny Circuit Court so all offences could be dealt with together.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted15 Mar
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatBrian Ward was charged with the theft of a bottle of rum and a bottle of vodka worth approximately €59 at Spar, Main St, Kinlough on 13 December 2021 (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whatWard and a family member entered the shop, and Ward placed the two bottles in a bag and handed them to the family member (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whatThey left the shop without paying and refused to return when followed by staff (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whatWard is 36 years old, has ten children, and lives with his wife and family in Boyle, Co Roscommon (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • investigationThe incident was captured on CCTV and the shop owner identified both parties (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • investigationGardaí interviewed the defendant on 14 December 2021 but nothing of evidential value was obtained (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard before Judge John Aylmer in Carrick-on-Shannon Circuit Court on 8 March 2023 (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • courtWard has a matter in Letterkenny Circuit Court the following week (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • courtJudge Aylmer adjourned the matter to Letterkenny Circuit Court so all offences could be dealt with together (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had 107 previous convictions, 25 of which were for theft (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherWard is on a waiting list for alcohol rehab (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherWard served a prison sentence for road traffic offences and was released in February 2021 (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherWard remained clean and sober for 15 months before relapsing (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherWard has recently completed a Probation Service assessment (leitrimobserver.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Mar2023
    Convictedleitrimobserver.ie, first report
    Local man pleads guilty to stealing alcohol from Spar in Kinlough

    Reports the guilty plea at Carrick-on-Shannon Circuit Court on 8 March 2023 and the adjournment to Letterkenny Circuit Court for sentencing alongside other offences.

    convicted, Brian Ward, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian Wardvictim, Noel McGowan, male, irish (judged from name)Noel McGowan