Wednesday 28 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. 6100Theft · Co. Donegal · 14 Apr 2024

Man charged with stealing €2,000 from Letterkenny cathedral during funeral

Ireneusz Matras, a 43-year-old man of Fortwell, Letterkenny, was arrested and charged with theft of €1,754.55 and £6.13 stg belonging to parish priest Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, allegedly committed at St Eunan's Cathedral in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, on April 14th, 2024, while a funeral was taking place. He was taken to Letterkenny Garda Station for questioning and appeared at Letterkenny District Court on April 15th, 2024, where the DPP decided the case would be dealt with summarily. The judge granted bail with conditions and adjourned the case to July 8th, and the defence said there would be a plea and sought a probation report and an interpreter.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court15 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Ireneusz Matras, a 43-year-old man of Fortwell, Letterkenny, was charged with the alleged theft of almost €2,000 from a church in Co Donegal during a funeral.
  • The alleged theft was of cash taken from the sacristy of the church.
  • The property listed in the charge was €1,754.55 and £6.13 stg, belonging to parish priest Monsignor Kevin Gillespie.
Where
The alleged theft took place at St Eunan's Cathedral in Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
When
The alleged theft took place on April 14th, 2024, just after midday mass while a funeral was taking place.
Investigation
The accused was arrested a short time later and taken to Letterkenny Garda Station for questioning.
Charges
The charge is contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
In court
  • The accused appeared at Letterkenny District Court before Judge Eiteain Cunningham.
  • The Director of Public Prosecutions decided the case would be dealt with summarily in the district court.
  • The judge agreed to bail and adjourned the case until July 8th.
Other details
  • Gardaí had no objection to bail, with conditions including an address and weekly signing on at Letterkenny Garda Station.
  • The defence said there would be a plea, requested an interpreter and an adjournment, and sought a probation report.
  • The defence said the client has no previous convictions.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused was charged with stealing almost €2,000 from a church in Co Donegal while a funeral was taking place. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCash was allegedly stolen from the sacristy of the church. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe property stolen was €1,754.55 and £6.13 stg, belonging to the parish priest. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe theft is alleged to have happened at St Eunan's Cathedral in Letterkenny. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe alleged theft happened on April 14th, 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe alleged theft happened during midday mass, just after mass while a funeral was taking place. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe accused was arrested a short time later and taken to Letterkenny Garda Station for questioning. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe charge is contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe accused appeared at Letterkenny District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe accused appeared before Judge Eiteain Cunningham. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions decided the case would be dealt with summarily in the district court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge agreed to bail and adjourned the case until July 8th. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe property was stated to belong to the parish priest, Monsignor Kevin Gillespie. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe defence said there would be a plea in the case. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe defence requested an interpreter and an adjournment. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe defence sought a probation report and said the client has no previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherGardaí had no objection to bail, with conditions including an address and weekly signing on at Letterkenny Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Apr2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man appears in court charged with stealing €2,000 from cathedral during funeral

    First report of the case. It gives the charge, the court appearance, the bail conditions, the adjournment date and the accused's nationality.

    accused, Ireneusz Matras, 43, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ireneusz Matras