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. 22224Handling stolen property · Co. Dublin · 14 Apr 2021

Recycling centre managing director faces jury trial over handling stolen vehicles and catalytic converters

Brian McDonnell, 53, managing director of St Margaret's Recycling & Transfer Centre in Sandyhill, Dublin, opted for a Circuit Court jury trial on five charges of handling stolen cars and catalytic converters. Co-accused Edward Stokes, 52, pleaded guilty to handling a stolen Vauxhall Vivaro and received a four-month sentence suspended for 18 months.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court23 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHe is alleged to have had six catalytic converters on 14 April 2021 (irishtimes.com)
  • whatFour men sold McDonnell the four stolen cars and catalytic converters (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMcDonnell opted for a Circuit Court trial before a judge and jury (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMcDonnell indicated a not-guilty plea (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Máire Conneely remanded him on continuing bail to appear on 31 March (irishtimes.com)
  • courtStokes pleaded guilty to his charge (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJudge Conneely imposed a four-month sentence on Stokes which she suspended for 18 months (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceCompensation orders and suspended sentences were imposed on the three men (irishtimes.com)
  • otherStokes was a forklift driver with prior convictions primarily for road traffic offences and theft and handling stolen property (irishtimes.com)
  • otherStokes co-operated with the investigation and bought the car to scrap it (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe three men earned small amounts to scrap the vehicles (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Feb2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Recycling boss accused of handling stolen catalytic converters faces jury trial

    McDonnell opted for Circuit Court trial, indicated a not-guilty plea, and was remanded on continuing bail to 31 March. Co-accused Stokes pleaded guilty and was sentenced. Three other men had previously pleaded guilty in January to possessing the other stolen vehicles.

    accused, Brian McDonnell, 53, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian McDonnellconvicted, Edward Stokes, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Edward Stokesconvicted, male