Ireland Couple sentenced to three months over cat taken from neighbour's garden
A neighbour's cat was taken from a patio in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, and was found alive three days later in very poor condition. CCTV captured Patrick Connolly, 67, lifting the cat and his wife Bernie Connolly, 64, tying it in a white bag, and the couple later admitted leaving it at Creevy lake. The neighbour reported the theft to gardaí on 13 May 2025, and further CCTV was obtained after gardaí searched the couple's property. Reports of the sentencing at Monaghan District Court are dated 1 April 2026 and 16 April 2026, and the latest development is that each was sentenced to three months' imprisonment on an animal cruelty charge, with the theft charge taken into consideration, and granted leave to appeal on €250 recognisances.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced1 Apr
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- CCTV captured Patrick Connolly lifting the cat from a patio next door.
- Patrick Connolly placed the cat into a white bag and his wife Bernie Connolly tied it with string.
- The cat's owners found it three days later in very poor condition but still alive.
- Where
- The couple later admitted leaving the cat at Creevy lake, a few miles outside Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.
- When
- The neighbour reported the cat's theft to gardaí on 13 May 2025.
- Sentencing is dated 1 April 2026 in the article metadata and 16 April 2026 on the published page.
- Investigation
- Gardaí searched the Connollys' property and obtained further CCTV footage.
- In court
- The case was heard at Monaghan District Court.
- The judge said he could not see a way of avoiding a prison sentence.
- Charges
- The couple were dealt with on an animal cruelty charge, with a theft charge taken into consideration.
- Sentence
- Both were sentenced to three months' imprisonment.
- Both were granted leave to appeal, with recognisances for appeal set at €250 in cash each.
- Other details
- The couple had €1,000 to offer in compensation.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCCTV captured Patrick Connolly lifting the cat from his patio next door. (thejournal.ie)
- whatPatrick Connolly placed the cat into a white bag and his wife Bernie tied it with a string. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe owners found the cat three days later in very poor condition but still alive. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe couple later admitted they left the cat at Creevy lake, a few miles outside Carrickmacross. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe neighbour reported the cat's theft to gardaí on 13 May 2025. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationFurther CCTV footage was obtained after gardaí searched the Connollys' property. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Monaghan District Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge said he could not see a way of avoiding a prison sentence. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceBoth were sentenced to three months' imprisonment on the animal cruelty charge, with the theft charge taken into consideration. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceBoth were granted leave to appeal, with recognisances for appeal set at €250 in cash each. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe couple had €1,000 to offer in compensation. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Apr2026Monaghan couple who abducted neighbour's cat and tied it in a bag sentenced to three months
Sentencing of the couple at Monaghan District Court; adds the sentence, the theft charge taken into consideration, leave to appeal with €250 recognisances, and the couple's offer of €1,000 compensation.
convicted, Patrick Connolly, 67, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Connollyconvicted, Bernie Connolly, 64, female, named, irish (judged from name)Bernie Connollyvictim, female