Ireland Man fined €300 over stolen phone in Donegal Town; lifebuoy theft charge struck out
Paul McCann, a 23-year-old man, was alleged to have stolen a lifebuoy at Donegal Bay Waterbus in Donegal Town on December 1, 2024. He was also charged with possessing a stolen Samsung S24 Ultra phone, an offence alleged at Apache Pizza, The Diamond, Donegal Town, on March 30, 2025. He pleaded guilty to the lifebuoy theft and other offences before Judge Éitéain Cunningham at Ballyshannon District Court, and the lifebuoy charge was struck out after €1,000 was paid to the RNLI. On July 22, 2026, he was fined €300, payable within four months, for the phone possession charge.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced22 Jul
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Paul McCann, a 23-year-old man of Seskinore, Omagh, Tyrone, appeared in court over theft and other offences on nights out in Donegal Town.
- Where
- The lifebuoy theft was alleged to have happened at Donegal Bay Waterbus.
- The phone possession was alleged to have happened at Apache Pizza, The Diamond, Donegal Town.
- When
- The lifebuoy theft was alleged to have happened on December 1, 2024.
- The phone possession was alleged to have happened on March 30, 2025.
- Weapon
- The stolen item in the lifebuoy theft was a lifebuoy.
- Charges
- He was charged with possessing a stolen Samsung S24 Ultra mobile phone.
- He pleaded guilty to the theft of a lifebuoy and other offences on nights out in Donegal Town.
- A charge of being intoxicated in a public place was taken into consideration.
- In court
- The case was heard by Judge Éitéain Cunningham at Ballyshannon District Court, Ballyshannon Courthouse.
- The lifebuoy theft charge was struck out.
- The judge noted that McCann had no previous convictions and said he cooperated at every turn.
- Sentence
- He was fined €300, payable within four months, for the phone possession charge.
- Other details
- The court heard that €1,000 had been paid to the RNLI, and the judge said he hoped McCann had learned his lesson.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe lifebuoy theft was alleged at Donegal Bay Waterbus. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe phone possession was alleged at Apache Pizza, The Diamond, Donegal Town. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe lifebuoy theft was alleged to have happened on December 1, 2024. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe phone possession was alleged to have happened on March 30, 2025. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeHe had pleaded guilty to the theft of a lifebuoy and other offences on nights out in Donegal Town. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with possessing a stolen Samsung S24 Ultra mobile phone. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeA charge of being intoxicated in a public place was taken into consideration. (donegallive.ie)
- courtPaul McCann appeared at Ballyshannon District Court. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe case was heard by Judge Éitéain Cunningham at Ballyshannon Courthouse. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe lifebuoy theft charge was struck out. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe judge noted that McCann had no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe judge said McCann cooperated at every turn. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceHe was fined €300, payable within four months, for the phone possession charge. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe court heard that €1,000 had been paid to the RNLI. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe judge said he hoped McCann had learned his lesson. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 22 Jul2026Judge says man learned lesson after €1,000 donation for lifebuoy theft
Court report on the sentencing of Paul McCann at Ballyshannon District Court: lifebuoy theft charge struck out after €1,000 paid to RNLI, phone possession fine of €300, and an intoxication charge taken into consideration.
convicted, Paul McCann, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul McCann