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. 10885Theft · Co. Longford · 26 Jan 2026

Man charged with theft of mass card envelopes at St Mel's Cathedral, Longford

Robert Malone, a 32-year-old man, is alleged to have stolen envelopes from the mass card donation box in St Mel's Cathedral in Longford town on January 26. Garda Tomas Connaughton arrested him inside the cathedral at 3.20pm that day. He was charged under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 and brought before Judge Bernadette Owens at Longford District Court, which granted him bail with conditions. The latest reported development, published on February 22, 2026, is that he was remanded on bail, with a condition that he stay out of Longford except for court appearances.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court20 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A 32-year-old man is charged with stealing envelopes from the mass card donation box in St Mel's Cathedral.
Where
The envelopes were taken from the mass card donation box in St Mel's Cathedral in Longford town.
When
The taking is alleged to have happened on January 26, 2026.
Investigation
Garda Tomas Connaughton arrested Robert Malone inside St Mel's Cathedral at 3.20pm on the day of the alleged taking.
Charges
Robert Malone is charged under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
In court
  • Robert Malone was brought before Judge Bernadette Owens at a recent sitting of Longford District Court by the arresting garda.
  • Judge Owens granted bail with conditions, including that Robert Malone stay out of Longford except for court appearances.
Sentence
No sentence has been reported, as Robert Malone was remanded on bail rather than sentenced.
Other details
The value of the envelopes is unknown, as the court heard they contained an unknown value.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA 32-year-old man was charged with stealing envelopes from the mass card donation box in St Mel's Cathedral in Longford town. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe envelopes were taken from the mass card donation box in St Mel's Cathedral in Longford town. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe taking is alleged to have happened on January 26. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationRobert Malone was arrested in St Mel's Cathedral by Garda Tomas Connaughton at 3.20pm on the day of the alleged taking. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeThe charge is under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtRobert Malone was brought before Judge Bernadette Owens by the arresting garda at a recent sitting of Longford District Court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Owens granted bail with conditions, including that Malone stay out of Longford except for court appearances. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe value of the envelopes is unknown. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Feb2026
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Man in Longford court charged with theft of St Mel’s Cathedral mass card donations

    First report of this case in the existing list. Gives the charge, the arrest details and the bail conditions.

    accused, Robert Malone, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Robert Malone