A MAN who conned two women out of money for tickets for a concert and a sporting event was jailed this week.
Vincent McDonagh (33) appeared by videolink at Letterkenny District Court, where he entered guilty pleas to the charges.
Garda Sergeant Jim Collins told the court how the defendant had advertised two tickets for a Post Malone concert on the DoneDeal website.
The court was told how a woman had transferred €160 to a Western Union account and the money was withdrawn by McDonagh on October 31, 2018 but the woman never received the tickets.
In another incident on November 1, 2018, McDonagh falsely advertised two rugby tickets for the much sought after Ireland and New Zealand game.
The court heard how another woman transferred €150 for the tickets, the money for which was again withdrawn from a Western Union account by McDonagh. However, the tickets never materialised.
Both charges are contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act of 2001.
McDonagh, of Lord Edward St, Kilkenny, had 25 previous convictions for a range of offences including burglary, theft and criminal damage.
Sergeant Collins also told the court how gardaí had found McDonagh outside the Dry Arch in Letterkenny on March 11, 2019. He told gardaí to “f**k off”. McDonagh was subsequently arrested and charged with public order.
Solicitor Mr Rory O’Brien asked the court to give credit to his client for his instructions to deal with the matter. He said much time has elapsed, and that given the passage of time McDonagh has developed a new life for himself.
The court was told McDonagh has been in custody on these matters since December 20. He is also in custody on other matters.
“When these offences occurred he had gone through a difficult part of his life,” said Mr O’Brien.
“Drink and drugs were a feature of his life then. He subsequently left the area and went to Northern Ireland and rebuilt his life.
“He can only say he is sorry to his victims and that he would like to put the matters behind him and continue to rebuild his life.”
Judge Emile Daly recognised McDonagh’s turnaround in terms of his addiction issues.
She queried whether a probation report would be appropriate.
However, Mr O’Brien countered that since the offences before the court were of an historical nature, and that there have been no further offences, that directing a probation and welfare report might only
put the service under undue pressure.
Judge Daly said McDonagh’s actions left his victims “out of pocket” after the money for the tickets was paid in good faith.
She said she was pleased to hear that McDonagh has been making strides to improve his life, and that he is in a stable relationship.
However, she sentenced McDonagh to two months in prison for each theft charge and ordered the sentences to run concurrently.
She also took the public order charge into consideration.
