Ireland Man sentenced for theft in Donegal
Paul McCann, a man aged 24 (reports differ: 23) from Omagh, Tyrone, pleaded guilty at Ballyshannon District Court on April 17, 2026 to the theft of a lifebuoy at Donegal Bay Waterbus on December 1, 2024, possession of a stolen Samsung S24 Ultra phone at Apache Pizza on March 30, 2025, and intoxication in a public place on November 15, 2025. Judge Éitéain Cunningham recorded a conviction and adjourned sentencing to July 17. On that date, the lifebuoy theft charge was struck out after McCann paid €1,000 to the RNLI, and he was fined €300 for the phone possession charge, with the intoxication charge taken into consideration. The judge noted he had no previous convictions and said she hoped he had learned his lesson.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted19 Apr
- Sentenced22 Jul
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Paul McCann, a man aged 24 (reports differ: 23) from Omagh, Tyrone, pleaded guilty to the theft of a lifebuoy, possession of a stolen Samsung S24 Ultra phone, and intoxication in a public place.
- Where
- The offences occurred at Donegal Bay Waterbus, Apache Pizza on The Diamond, and Quay Street, all in Donegal Town.
- When
- The lifebuoy theft took place on December 1, 2024, the phone possession on March 30, 2025, and the intoxication on November 15, 2025.
- Charges
- The theft offences were contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, and he was charged with possessing a stolen Samsung S24 Ultra mobile phone.
- In court
- McCann appeared before Judge Éitéain Cunningham at Ballyshannon District Court on April 17, 2026, where a guilty plea was recorded and sentencing was adjourned to July 17.
- Sentence
- On July 17, 2026, the lifebuoy theft charge was struck out after €1,000 was paid to the RNLI, and McCann was fined €300 for the phone possession charge, with the intoxication charge taken into consideration.
- Other details
- The judge noted McCann had no previous convictions, said he cooperated at every turn, and expressed hope that he had learned his lesson.
26 statements extracted from the articles
- whatPaul McCann, 24, was before Ballyshannon District Court on April 17. (donegallive.ie)
- whatMcCann had pleaded guilty to theft of a lifebuoy at Donegal Bay Waterbus, Donegal Town. (donegallive.ie)
- whatMcCann admitted theft of a Samsung S24 Ultra mobile phone at Apache Pizza in Donegal Town. (donegallive.ie)
- whatMcCann pleaded guilty to being intoxicated to the extent of being a danger to himself or others at Quay Street, Donegal Town, on November 15, 2025. (donegallive.ie)
- 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 took place on December 1, 2024. (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)
- chargeBoth theft offences are contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001. (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)
- courtMcCann chose to have the theft charges dealt with in the district court and recorded a guilty plea. (donegallive.ie)
- courtMatters were adjourned to April 17 so a probation and welfare report could be prepared. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe matter was adjourned to July 17 to allow McCann time to pay the RNLI. (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)
- sentenceThe judge said she was seriously considering a suspended sentence despite McCann having no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe judge ordered McCann to pay €1,000 to the RNLI, stating this was not a way to avoid a conviction. (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 - 19 Apr2026Donegal judge says man must give €1,000 to RNLI to avoid jail for lifebuoy theft
First report of the Ballyshannon District Court hearing: the judge recorded a conviction, adjourned sentencing to July 17, and set a €1,000 RNLI payment as a condition of avoiding a custodial sentence.
convicted, Paul McCann, 24, named, irish (judged from name)Paul McCannvictim