Sunday 1 November 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. 21910Theft · Co. Leitrim · 13 Dec 2021

Man pleads guilty to theft at Spar in Kinlough, Co Leitrim

Brian Ward, 36, of Boyle, Co Roscommon, and a family member entered Spar on Main St, Kinlough, Co Leitrim on 13 December 2021, placed a bottle of rum and a bottle of vodka worth approximately €59 in a bag, and left without paying. The incident was captured on CCTV and shop owner Noel McGowan identified both parties. Ward was interviewed by Gardaí the following day. On 8 March 2023, Ward pleaded guilty to the theft at Carrick-on-Shannon Circuit Court before Judge John Aylmer, and the matter was adjourned to Letterkenny Circuit Court for sentencing alongside other offences.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted15 Mar
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Brian Ward was charged with the theft of a bottle of rum and a bottle of vodka worth approximately €59 at Spar, Main St, Kinlough on 13 December 2021.
  • Ward and a family member entered the shop, Ward placed the two bottles in a bag and handed them to the family member, and they left without paying, refusing to return when followed by staff.
Where
The theft took place at Spar, Main St, Kinlough, Co Leitrim.
When
The incident occurred on 13 December 2021.
Investigation
  • The incident was captured on CCTV and shop owner Noel McGowan identified both parties.
  • Gardaí interviewed Ward on 14 December 2021 but nothing of evidential value was obtained.
In court
  • Ward pleaded guilty before Judge John Aylmer in Carrick-on-Shannon Circuit Court on 8 March 2023.
  • Judge Aylmer adjourned the matter to Letterkenny Circuit Court so all offences could be dealt with together.
Other details
  • Ward is 36, has ten children, and lives with his wife and family in Boyle, Co Roscommon.
  • The defendant had 107 previous convictions, 25 of which were for theft.
  • Ward is on a waiting list for alcohol rehab and had recently completed a Probation Service assessment.
  • Ward served a prison sentence for road traffic offences and was released in February 2021, remaining clean and sober for 15 months before relapsing.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatBrian Ward was charged with the theft of a bottle of rum and a bottle of vodka worth approximately €59 at Spar, Main St, Kinlough on 13 December 2021 (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whatWard and a family member entered the shop, and Ward placed the two bottles in a bag and handed them to the family member (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whatThey left the shop without paying and refused to return when followed by staff (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whatWard is 36 years old, has ten children, and lives with his wife and family in Boyle, Co Roscommon (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • investigationThe incident was captured on CCTV and the shop owner identified both parties (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • investigationGardaí interviewed the defendant on 14 December 2021 but nothing of evidential value was obtained (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard before Judge John Aylmer in Carrick-on-Shannon Circuit Court on 8 March 2023 (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • courtWard has a matter in Letterkenny Circuit Court the following week (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • courtJudge Aylmer adjourned the matter to Letterkenny Circuit Court so all offences could be dealt with together (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had 107 previous convictions, 25 of which were for theft (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherWard is on a waiting list for alcohol rehab (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherWard served a prison sentence for road traffic offences and was released in February 2021 (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherWard remained clean and sober for 15 months before relapsing (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherWard has recently completed a Probation Service assessment (leitrimobserver.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Mar2023
    Convictedleitrimobserver.ie, first report
    Local man pleads guilty to stealing alcohol from Spar in Kinlough

    Reports the guilty plea at Carrick-on-Shannon Circuit Court on 8 March 2023 and the adjournment to Letterkenny Circuit Court for sentencing alongside other offences.

    convicted, Brian Ward, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian Wardvictim, Noel McGowan, male, irish (judged from name)Noel McGowan