Cork man jailed for stealing animal home dogs

A young man from Mahon was jailed for four months yesterday for stealing five dogs from the Cork Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in the course of two separate break-ins.

Martin McDonagh, of 1 Inchera Close, Mahon, was charged with stealing dogs from the premises on June 24 and again on July 2, 2014, and yesterday he pleaded guilty those crimes at Cork District Court.

Inspector John Deasy said that at 11.15pm on June 24, 2014, there was a break-in to the CSPCA premises at Mahon Link Road in Cork.

“The dogs home was entered by Mr McDonagh and another male. Three female lurcher dogs were taken. They opened the pens and took the three dogs. They were never recovered,” Insp Deasy said.

Judge Olann Kelleher asked if there was a value on the dogs. Insp Deasy said there was no value on the dogs as they were strays.

On July 2, 2014, two more dogs were taken. One of them — a fox terrier — was found nearby. The other dog, whose breed was not established, was not recovered.

There was damage to seven locks and the cost of the damage came to a total of €210.

Shane Collins-Daly, defence solicitor, said the accused had no rational explanation for why he went out on the two nights and stole dogs from the CSPCA.

McDonagh pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage and entering the premises to commit theft.

He also admitted damaging the lock on a container at The Marina in Cork on May 6, 2015.

Inspector Deasy said the accused had previous convictions including five for theft, two for burglary, and three for trespassing, as well as numerous public order offences.

Mr Collins-Daly said last year the accused got five months in jail for other offences and had not been in trouble since he got out.

The judge imposed a sentence of four months.