GARDAI have caught a serial burglar behind eight raids over a two day period in Buncrana and also caught his brother for similar offences.
Thomas Ward, 19, of no fixed abode had 23 previous convictions, Letterkenny District Court heard today.
His brother Michael, 24, also of no fixed abode, had 67 previous convictions.
The two appeared separately in court today.
The court heard how Thomas Ward had carried out the raids on homes, takeaways and shops in Buncrana on March 3 and March 4 this year.
Ward admitted all the offences in court, as Gardai confirmed he was already now serving a six month jail sentence after being jailed in Castleblaney on March 27 for handling stolen goods.
His solicitor Patsy Gallagher told Judge Paul Kelly that there was little he could say in way of mitigation for this ‘horrible crimes’ but said Ward was addicted to drink and drugs and these had ‘put him on another planet’.
Ward had raided three homes, a medical centre, an Aldi, a Lidl and two takeaways.
In one raid – at Abrekebabra, he stole a charity box from behind the counter, went to the toilets to empty €25 from it and then used the money to buy a meal.
Judge Paul Kelly adjourned sentencing until June to await reports.
Thomas Ward told him: “I’m guilty for the whole lot and I’m sorry judge.”
Michael Ward appeared 20 minutes later.
Garda Michael Hooks told the court how Michael Ward was spotted in the back garden of a house in Buncrana on March 4.
He had a knife and a key to an Audi car which he admitted stealing.
The resident of the home house had been asleep at the time of the 2.15am incident but a relative returning from Libertys nightclub had met Ward at the house.
Ward was arrested and admitted the offences.
Judge Paul Kelly jailed Michael Ward for a total of 15 months, commenting: “There is a serious issue in this county, and in many other counties, where burglars have been going into people’s homes where people are resident at the time.
“This man has an appalling record and I have no option but to deal with it by way of a custodial sentence.”
At hearing