Friday 30 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. 16809Theft · Co. Kildare

Two accused over goods worth €2,188 after Kildare town garda stop

Wayne O'Donoghue, 22, and Helen Connors, 20, face prosecution over goods worth €2,188 found after gardaí stopped a van at Nugent Street in Kildare town. It is alleged that four people were in the van, that the goods were taken in Kildare town, Newbridge and The Curragh, and that O'Donoghue ran from the scene with a one-year-old child. The incident date is not given. On 28 June 2024 Judge Desmond Zaidan at Naas District Court sent the pair forward for trial by jury at Naas Circuit Court and granted free legal aid, including a barrister. The case has not yet reached trial.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court28 Jun
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Wayne O'Donoghue, 22, and Helen Connors, 20, are facing prosecution after goods worth €2,188 were discovered.
Where
  • Gardaí stopped a vehicle at Nugent Street in Kildare town.
  • It will be alleged that the goods were taken in Kildare town, Newbridge and The Curragh.
When
The incident date is not given in the articles.
Other details
  • It will be alleged that there were four occupants in the van.
  • It will be alleged that O'Donoghue ran from the scene with a one-year-old child, who was extremely upset.
Investigation
Sergeant Mary Meade gave the account of the garda stop and the alleged thefts at Naas District Court.
In court
  • On 28 June 2024, Judge Desmond Zaidan at Naas District Court sent the pair forward to be tried by a jury at Naas Circuit Court.
  • The judge granted free legal aid to the accused, including the cost of a barrister.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man ran from the scene with a one-year-old child after gardaí stopped a vehicle in Kildare town. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereThe vehicle was stopped at Nugent Street. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereIt will be alleged that the goods were taken in Kildare town, Newbridge and The Curragh. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeTwo people are facing prosecution after the discovery of goods worth €2,188. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtJudge Desmond Zaidan sent the pair forward to be tried by a jury at Naas Circuit Court. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe judge granted free legal aid, including the cost of a barrister. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherIt will be alleged that there were four occupants in the van. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherWayne O’Donoghue ran with the child, who was extremely upset. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Jun2024
    In courtkildarenow.com, first report
    Man ran from scene with child after garda stop

    Court report from Naas District Court on the pair being sent forward for trial. The article gives no incident date. Helen Connors is named, but existing case 15739 concerns 15 theft counts including a Kilkenny shopping centre theft in September 2024, and this article's incident (Kildare town, Newbridge and The Curragh, reported June 2024) does not clearly match it, so it is not linked.

    accused, Wayne O'Donoghue, 22, named, irish (judged from name)Wayne O'Donoghueaccused, Helen Connors, 20, named, irish (judged from name)Helen Connors