Friday 30 October 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. 16011Possession of a controlled drug; driving without insurance; deception · Co. Donegal · 17 Sep 2024

Donegal man charged with driving, cocaine and deception offences appears in court

On 13 May 2024 an alleged deception took place at Smyths Toy Store, Letterkenny, and Nathan Coughlan, a 28-year-old man from Donegal, faces a charge over it. He was jailed for one year in August 2024 for robberies (one report says thefts) at Donegal churches, parochial houses and pastoral centres, and was later released after a successful appeal. Gardaí arrested him at 3pm on 17 September 2024 and charged him at 10.24am on the Wednesday with driving without insurance and without a driving licence, and with possession of cocaine when he was conveyed to Letterkenny Garda Station. He appeared before Judge Éiteáin Cunningham at Falcarragh District Court, where the prosecution made no objection to bail on conditions, and the matter was adjourned with solicitor Rory O'Brien representing him.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court21 Sep
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The suspect is Nathan Coughlan, a 28-year-old man from Donegal.
When
  • Gardaí arrested Coughlan at 3pm on Tuesday, 17 September 2024, for an offence under the Road Traffic Act.
  • Coughlan was charged at 10.24am on the Wednesday after his arrest.
Where
The driving offence is alleged to have taken place on Main Street, Pettigo.
Charges
  • Coughlan was charged with driving without insurance and without a driving licence.
  • Coughlan was charged with possession of cocaine when he was conveyed to Letterkenny Garda Station.
  • Coughlan faces a further charge over an alleged deception at Smyths Toy Store, Letterkenny, on 13 May 2024.
Other details
When cautioned, Coughlan replied that he had already been dealt with for the driving offence.
In court
  • Coughlan appeared before Judge Éiteáin Cunningham at a Wednesday sitting of Falcarragh District Court.
  • The prosecution said there were no objections to bail on conditions of giving gardaí an address and a 24/7 contact mobile number.
  • Coughlan is represented by solicitor Rory O'Brien and the matter was adjourned.
Sentence
  • Coughlan was jailed for one year in August 2024 for robberies (described as thefts in one report) at Donegal churches, parochial houses and pastoral centres.
  • Coughlan was released following a successful appeal against that sentence, with no date given.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCoughlan appeared before a judge at Falcarragh District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenGardaí arrested Coughlan at 3pm on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenCoughlan was charged at 10.24am on Wednesday. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeCoughlan was charged with driving without insurance and a driving licence at Main Street, Pettigo, on September 17, 2024. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeCoughlan was charged with possession of cocaine when he was conveyed to Letterkenny Garda Station. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeCoughlan faces a further charge over an alleged deception at Smyths Toy Store, Letterkenny, on May 13, 2024. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe prosecution told the court there were no objections to bail on conditions of giving gardaí an address and a 24/7 contact mobile number. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtCoughlan is represented by solicitor Rory O'Brien and the matter was adjourned. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherCoughlan replied that he had already been done for the driving offence when cautioned. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherCoughlan was jailed for one year last month for robberies at Donegal churches, parochial houses and pastoral centres. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherCoughlan was released following a successful appeal against that sentence. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Sep2024
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Donegal man stopped for road traffic offences found with cocaine

    Covers new charges from a 17 September 2024 arrest and a 13 May 2024 alleged refund at Smyths Toy Store, Letterkenny. The article says Coughlan was jailed last month for thefts; it does not link these charges to that case.

    accused, Nathan Coughlan, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Nathan Coughlan