Ireland Kildare man and two juveniles charged over alleged north west crime spree
Gardaí arrested a man from County Kildare, James Lynch, aged 44, and two juveniles, also from Kildare, over alleged burglaries and thefts in Counties Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim, Roscommon and Cavan. Gardaí link the offences to an alleged organised crime gang operating since the beginning of the year, including an alleged theft of a safe containing about €10,000 from Dowra Mart in Cavan and an attempted theft at Lissadell House in Sligo. Lynch is charged with three counts of burglary, three counts of theft and one count of participating in and facilitating organised crime, and both juveniles face their own charges. The juveniles were remanded in custody pending DPP directions, and Lynch, represented by a barrister at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court on 25 February 2026, was remanded in custody and is due before Sligo District Court on Thursday, February 26.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court25 Feb
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gardaí arrested a man and two juveniles, also from County Kildare, in connection with an alleged organised crime gang operating across the north west.
- One incident allegedly involved the theft of a safe containing about €10,000 from Dowra Mart in Cavan.
- An attempted theft at Lissadell House in Sligo was referenced during the proceedings.
- Where
- The investigations cover burglary, theft and organised criminal activity in Counties Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim, Roscommon and Cavan.
- When
- Gardaí believe the crime group has been operating since the beginning of the year.
- Investigation
- Gardaí allege the defendants were active participants in the offences.
- Charges
- James Lynch, aged 44, of Naas, County Kildare, is charged with three counts of burglary, three counts of theft and one count of participating in and facilitating organised crime.
- One juvenile is charged with two counts of burglary, three counts of theft and one count of participating in organised criminal activity.
- The second juvenile is charged with three counts of burglary, seven counts of theft and one count of participating in organised criminal activity.
- In court
- Lynch was represented by a barrister at a procedural hearing at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court in Leitrim, reported on 25 February 2026.
- The two juveniles were remanded in custody pending DPP's directions.
- Lynch was remanded in custody and is due to appear before Sligo District Court on Thursday, February 26.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatOne incident allegedly involved the theft of a safe containing about €10,000 from Dowra Mart in Cavan. (kildarenow.com)
- whatAn attempted theft at Lissadell House in Sligo was referenced during the proceedings. (kildarenow.com)
- whereThe investigation covers burglary, theft and organised criminal activity in Counties Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim, Roscommon and Cavan. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationThe case arises from a garda investigation into an alleged organised crime gang operating across the north west. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationGardaí believe the crime group has been operating since the beginning of the year. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationGardaí allege the defendants were active participants in the offences. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeJames Lynch, aged 44, is charged with three counts of burglary, three counts of theft and one count of participating in and facilitating organised crime. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeOne juvenile is charged with two counts of burglary, three counts of theft and one count of participating in organised criminal activity. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeThe second juvenile is charged with three counts of burglary, seven counts of theft and one count of participating in organised criminal activity. (kildarenow.com)
- courtLynch was represented by a barrister at a procedural hearing at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court in Leitrim. (kildarenow.com)
- courtLynch was remanded in custody and is due to appear again before Sligo District Court on Thursday, February 26. (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe two juveniles were remanded in custody pending DPP's directions. (kildarenow.com)
The reporting
newest first- 25 Feb2026Kildare man appears in court following alleged crime spree across the north west
Adds the charges against James Lynch and two juveniles, their remand status, Lynch's next court date in Sligo, and two specific incidents: a safe theft at Dowra Mart in Cavan and an attempted theft at Lissadell House in Sligo.