Thursday 29 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. 9545Theft, assault, criminal damage, public order offences · Co. Donegal

John Higgins pleads guilty to theft, assault, criminal damage and public order offences in Ballyshannon

John Higgins, 57, of 3 Brighton Terrace, has been charged with theft, assault, criminal damage and public order offences at locations in Ballyshannon and Bundoran, Co Donegal. The theft of groceries worth €28 from a Centra store on Assaroe Road, Ballyshannon, is dated June 1, 2019, and the assault on Rossa McCosker at the same store is dated June 2, 2019, although the article was published on May 18, 2026. On Friday, May 15, he appeared before Ballyshannon District Court and pleaded guilty to all offences, and the judge ordered a probation and welfare report and a report on suitability for community service. The case was most recently adjourned to September 18.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court18 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Higgins is charged with stealing groceries worth €28, property of Rossa McCosker, from a Centra store on Assaroe Road, Ballyshannon.
Where
The incidents took place in Ballyshannon and Bundoran, Co Donegal, including at shops and on public streets.
When
The offences are dated 2019 in the court report, while the article was published on May 18, 2026.
Charges
  • He is charged with assaulting Rossa McCosker at the Centra store on Assaroe Road, Ballyshannon, on June 2, 2019.
  • He is charged with criminal damage to shelves of potted plants valued at €358.80 at the same Centra store.
  • He is charged with being intoxicated to the extent of being a danger to himself or others, and with threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour, at Portnason, Ballyshannon, on May 9, 2019.
  • He pleaded guilty to three further public order counts on Main Street, Bundoran, on May 18, May 25 and June 17, 2019.
  • He is charged with threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at the Super Valu in Bundoran on July 6, 2019.
  • He is charged with being intoxicated to the extent of being a danger to himself or others at Westport, Ballyshannon, on July 9, 2019.
In court
  • Higgins, 57, of 3 Brighton Terrace, appeared before Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, May 15.
  • He pleaded guilty to all offences before the court.
  • The judge directed a probation and welfare report on all matters and a report on suitability for community service.
  • The case was adjourned to September 18.
Other details
Legal aid was granted and assigned to the defendant's solicitor.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHiggins stole groceries valued at €28 from a Centra store on Assaroe Road, Ballyshannon, on June 1, 2019. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with assaulting Rossa McCosker at Centra, Assaroe Road, Ballyshannon, on June 2, 2019. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with criminal damage to shelves of potted plants valued at €358.80 at the same Centra store. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe admitted being intoxicated to the extent of being a danger to himself or others, and with threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour, at Portnason, Ballyshannon, on May 9, 2019. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe pleaded guilty to three further public order counts on Main Street, Bundoran, on May 18, May 25 and June 17, 2019. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe admitted threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at the Super Valu in Bundoran on July 6, 2019. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe admitted being intoxicated to the extent of being a danger to himself or others at Westport, Ballyshannon, on July 9, 2019. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJohn Higgins, 57, of 3 Brighton Terrace, appeared before Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, May 15. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtHe pleaded guilty to all offences before the court. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge directed a probation and welfare report on all matters and a report on suitability for community service. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to September 18. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherLegal aid was granted and assigned to the defendant's solicitor. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 May2026
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Man admits theft, assault, criminal damage and public order offences in Donegal

    Court report of a guilty plea by John Higgins to multiple offences at Ballyshannon District Court, with a probation report ordered and the case adjourned to September 18. The article gives 2019 offence dates, which conflict with the 2026 publication date.

    accused, John Higgins, 57, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Higginsvictim, Rossa McCosker, irish (judged from name)Rossa McCosker