Ireland Fisherman given suspended sentence for Rathmullan theft
On Saturday 10 February 2024, a house at Kerr's Bay in Rathmullan, Co Donegal, was broken into and an Xbox, six bottles of wine and a Marshall speaker were stolen. Gardaí reviewed CCTV footage, traced the culprit to the fishing trawler Michelle Na Mara docked at Rathmullan Pier, and recovered the Xbox and two controllers on board. The arrest of Lauris Gomanis, a 40-year-old Latvian crew member, was made under the Criminal Justice Act, and he was charged with entering a building as a trespasser and committing theft there. On Monday 12 February 2024 at Letterkenny District Court, Judge Eiteain Cunningham gave him four months in prison for the theft, suspended for 18 months, and struck out other related charges.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced13 Feb
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The accused stole an Xbox, six bottles of wine and a Marshall speaker from a house.
- Where
- The house is at Kerr's Bay in Rathmullan, Co Donegal, and was reported as unlocked.
- When
- The break-in took place on Saturday 10 February 2024.
- Other details
- The accused was a crew member on the fishing trawler Michelle Na Mara, which was docked at Rathmullan Pier after developing engine trouble.
- His solicitor said he was drunk at the time and had little recollection of the incident, and that he has no previous convictions.
- Investigation
- Gardaí reviewed CCTV footage and traced the culprit to the fishing boat docked at the pier.
- The Xbox and two controllers were recovered on board the boat.
- The accused was arrested under the Criminal Justice Act and taken to Milford Garda Station for questioning.
- Charges
- He was charged with entering a building as a trespasser and committing theft there.
- In court
- The case was heard at Letterkenny District Court before Judge Eiteain Cunningham on Monday 12 February 2024.
- Sentence
- He was given four months in prison for the theft, suspended for 18 months.
- Other related charges were struck out.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe accused stole an Xbox, six bottles of wine and a Marshall speaker from a house. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe house was at Kerr's Bay in Rathmullan, Co Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe break-in happened on Saturday 10 February 2024. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí reviewed CCTV footage and traced the culprit to the fishing boat docked at the pier. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe Xbox and two controllers were recovered on board the boat. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe accused was arrested under the Criminal Justice Act and taken to Milford Garda Station for questioning. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with entering a building as a trespasser and committing theft there. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe judge sentenced him to four months in prison for the theft, suspended for 18 months. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceOther related charges were struck out. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe accused was a crew member on the fishing trawler Michelle Na Mara, which was docked at Rathmullan Pier. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe solicitor said his client was drunk at the time and had little recollection of the incident. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe solicitor said the accused has no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 13 Feb2024Fisherman nets suspended sentence after Rathmullan theft
First report of this incident in the available coverage; it covers the sentencing of Lauris Gomanis at Letterkenny District Court.
convicted, Lauris Gomanis, 40, male, Latvian, named, non-irishLauris Gomanis