Ireland Man jailed for 16 months over Stranorlar school break-in and spitting at garda
Brendan O'Neill, a 34-year-old man, broke into St Columba's Secondary School in Stranorlar, Co Donegal, through the roof and caused €6,668 worth of damage. The incident date is not stated, but he was caught when the principal found him on the premises, and gardaí arrested him and took him to Letterkenny Garda station, where he allegedly spat in the face of garda sergeant Paul Forrestal while being processed. He had been in custody since October 16th and pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal damage and assault. In a sentencing reported on 3 December 2023, Judge Ciaran Liddy at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court jailed him for 16 months, backdated, and directed that he attend the Probation Service on release.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced3 Dec
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Brendan O'Neill broke in through the roof of St Columba's Secondary School.
- The break-in caused €6,668 worth of damage to the school.
- Where
- The break-in was at St Columba's Secondary School in Stranorlar, Co Donegal.
- When
- The incident date is not stated in the articles.
- He was caught when the principal arrived and found him on the premises.
- Cause
- His solicitor said he was under the influence of alcohol and non-prescription drugs on the night.
- Investigation
- Gardaí were called, arrested him and took him to Letterkenny Garda station for interview.
- Other details
- While being processed, he allegedly spat in the face of garda sergeant Paul Forrestal.
- The court heard he has 86 previous convictions.
- He had been in custody since October 16th, and his solicitor said he has been a model prisoner.
- Charges
- He pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal damage and assault.
- In court
- He appeared at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court, where Judge Ciaran Liddy presided over the sentencing.
- Sentence
- Judge Liddy sentenced him to a total of 16 months in prison, backdated.
- He must attend the Probation Service on release.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe burglar caused €6,668 worth of damage to the school. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe broke in through the roof of the school. (irishtimes.com)
- whatWhile being processed, he spat in the face of a garda sergeant. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe break-in was at St Columba’s Secondary School in Stranorlar, Co Donegal. (irishtimes.com)
- whenHe was caught when the principal arrived and found him on the premises. (irishtimes.com)
- causeHis solicitor said he was on alcohol and non-prescription drugs on the night. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí were called and arrested him. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal damage and assault. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe appeared at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Ciaran Liddy presided over the sentencing. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Liddy sentenced him to a total of 16 months in prison. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe sentence was backdated, and he must attend the Probation Service on release. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe court heard he had 86 previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe had been in custody since October 16th and his solicitor said he has been a model prisoner. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 3 Dec2023Man who spat at garda after being caught breaking into school jailed for 16 months
Court sentencing report: 16-month sentence backdated, with a direction to attend the Probation Service on release. The article notes 86 previous convictions. Incident date is not stated.
convicted, Brendan O'Neill, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan O'Neillvictim, Paul Forrestal, irish (judged from name)Paul Forrestal