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. 11179Theft, burglary and public order offences · Co. Sligo

Man jailed for 18 months for theft, burglary and public order offences

Jimmy Ward, a 36-year-old man, pleaded guilty to theft, burglary and public order offences committed between November 2022 and July 2024 in Sligo and Leitrim, including an entry into the sacristy of St Aidan's Church in Kinlough on July 10, 2024. He was sentenced at Ballyshannon District Court to 18 months in prison with credit for time served, with further consecutive terms for some offences, and the sentencing was reported on February 3, 2026. The latest development is that he is in prison for other matters that were dealt with at the circuit court and is receiving support for alcohol and drug addiction.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced3 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Ward pleaded guilty to a number of theft, burglary and public order offences.
Where
The offences took place in Sligo and Leitrim, and the article also refers to Donegal.
When
  • The offences were committed between November 15, 2022, and July 18, 2024.
  • On July 10, 2024, Ward entered the sacristy of St Aidan's Church, Kinlough, Leitrim, and committed theft.
  • On March 5, 2024, Ward stole €120 from an unlocked car at Adelaide Street, Knappagh Beg, Sligo.
  • On June 18, 2024, Ward trespassed at Sligo University Hospital in a manner likely to cause fear in another person.
  • On July 18, 2024, Ward engaged in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at Collooney Train Station.
Investigation
CCTV showed Ward taking coins valued at €10 from a charity box in a hotel theft, and he was identified as having stolen €120 from a car.
Charges
Ward also faced a charge of being intoxicated to the extent of being a danger to himself or others, linked to the Collooney incident.
In court
The case was heard at Ballyshannon District Court.
Sentence
  • Ward was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with credit for time served, and three months for the Sligo University Hospital trespass.
  • Ward was given a further three months, to run consecutively, for entering a parked vehicle at Riverstown while on bail, and 12 months, to run consecutively, for the €120 car theft, with credit for time served.
Other details
  • The €120 stolen from the car was not recovered, and Ward had 188 previous convictions.
  • The judge said Ward's progress in addressing his offending had been taken into account and that his recovery would be a lifelong battle.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatWard pleaded guilty to a number of theft, burglary and public order offences. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenOn July 10, 2024, Ward entered the sacristy of St Aidan's Church, Kinlough, Leitrim, and committed theft. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenOn November 15, 2022, Ward entered the Riverside Hotel, Sligo, as a trespasser and committed a theft. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenOn March 5, 2024, Ward stole €120 from an unlocked car at Adelaide Street, Knappagh Beg, Sligo. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenOn June 18, 2024, Ward trespassed at Sligo University Hospital in a manner likely to cause fear in another person. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenOn July 18, 2024, Ward engaged in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at Collooney Train Station. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationCCTV showed Ward taking coins valued at €10 from a charity box in a hotel theft. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationWard was identified as having committed the theft of €120 from a car. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeWard also faced a charge of being intoxicated to the extent of being a danger to himself or others, linked to the Collooney incident. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Ballyshannon District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceWard was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with credit for time served. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceWard was sentenced to three months in prison for the trespass at Sligo University Hospital. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceWard was sentenced to a further three months, to run consecutively, for entering a parked vehicle at Riverstown, because it was committed while he was on bail. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceWard was sentenced to 12 months in prison, to run consecutively, for the €120 theft from a car, with credit for time served. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe €120 stolen from the car was not recovered. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherWard had 188 previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherWard is in prison for other matters that were dealt with at the circuit court. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe judge said Ward's progress in addressing his offending had been taken into account and that his recovery would be a lifelong battle. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Feb2026
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    ‘I was hooked on heroin and hooked on cocaine; I wouldn’t wish it on anyone’

    Reports the sentencing of Jimmy Ward at Ballyshannon District Court. It lists the individual offences from 2022 to 2024 across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal, the sentences for each, the court's comments on his recovery, and his previous convictions.

    convicted, Jimmy Ward, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jimmy Ward