Ireland Man jailed for stealing candle money from hospital chapel in Tullamore
A man stole money from a candle donation box in a chapel at the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, County Offaly, after gardaí were called on 4 November 2024. CCTV footage identified John Delaney (38), of St Laurence's Fields, Loughrea, as taking money from the box. The case was heard at the district court the week before a report published on 25 February 2025, where Judge Andrew Cody described the theft as the 'lowest of the low'. The latest development is that Judge Cody imposed a sentence of two months in prison.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced25 Feb
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A man stole money from a candle donation box in a hospital chapel.
- Where
- The theft took place at the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, County Offaly.
- When
- Gardaí were called to the hospital on 4 November 2024.
- Investigation
- CCTV footage identified John Delaney as taking money from the donation box.
- Other details
- John Delaney is 38 years old and his address is given as St Laurence's Fields, Loughrea.
- Judge Andrew Cody described the theft as the 'lowest of the low' and said the candle box is for people praying for seriously ill relatives.
- Judge Cody warned of the maximum sentence for any repeat offence.
- Delaney has 123 previous convictions.
- His solicitor said he was deeply ashamed.
- In court
- Sergeant Richard Thornton gave evidence, and the case was heard at the district court the week before the report was published on 25 February 2025.
- Sentence
- Judge Andrew Cody imposed two months in prison.
10 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man stole money from a candle box in a hospital chapel. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe theft happened at the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenGardaí were called on 4 November 2024. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationCCTV footage identified John Delaney as taking money from the donation box. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at the district court the week before the article. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceJudge Andrew Cody imposed two months in prison. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe judge said the candle box is for people praying for seriously ill relatives. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe judge warned of the maximum sentence for any repeat offence. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe defendant had 123 previous convictions. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherHis solicitor said he was deeply ashamed. (longfordleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 25 Feb2025'Lowest of the low': Man jailed for Longford assault stole candle money from chapel of Midlands hospital
Reports the district court sentence of two months in prison for the theft, with CCTV identification, the judge's remarks and the defendant's previous convictions. Not the same case as the existing Mountrath criminal damage case (11444), which involves a different man, offence and date.
convicted, John Delaney, 38, named, irish (judged from name)John Delaney