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. 23223Burglary, unauthorised taking of a vehicle, theft · Co. Roscommon

Burglar fails to overturn guilty plea at Court of Appeal

Christopher McLoughlin, 43, of Castlerea, Co Roscommon, had his Court of Appeal bid to overturn his guilty plea to burglary, unauthorised taking of two cars and theft of tools dismissed on 12 October 2026, after he claimed he was 'out of' his head on drugs when he entered the plea in 2020.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court12 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMcLoughlin pleaded guilty to burglary, unauthorised taking of an Audi A6 estate and a BMW 3 series, and theft of tools contained in one of the stolen vehicles. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe offences occurred at Springfield, Castlerea, Co Roscommon. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenMcLoughlin entered his guilty plea on 2 March 2020. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Kenneth Connolly handed down the sentence in June 2024. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtHe was returned for sentence to Roscommon Circuit Court in February 2023 on signed pleas of guilty from the District Court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Kenneth Connolly refused his application to change his plea. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceHe was sentenced to five years and six months imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceHe was subsequently sentenced to eight years with the final 9 months suspended for the aggravated burglary. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherMcLoughlin was on bail at the time of the offence for a separate aggravated burglary incident. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe sentence for the March 2020 offences will not start until he completes the aggravated burglary term. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherHe had been consuming unprescribed Valium and Zimovane tablets whilst in prison and was also receiving prescribed Seroquel and methadone. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Oct2026
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Burglar fails to overturn plea entered when he was 'out of' his head on drugs

    The Court of Appeal, sitting with Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, dismissed McLoughlin's appeal to change his guilty plea to not guilty, finding his evidence about being intoxicated on drugs at the time of the plea was not credible and contained many inconsistencies.

    convicted, Christopher McLoughlin, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Christopher McLoughlin