Cork man used fishing device to steal from church donation box 

The man was charged with stealing from St Augustine’s Church in Cork.

A 67-year-old man who used a fishing device to pull money from a church donation box in Cork city has been given a ten-month suspended jail term.

Charles Nolan admitted two counts of theft. He has had a number of similar convictions in the past.

Sergeant John Kelleher said that on September 12, 2022, at St Augustine’s Church, he interfered with a collection box with a key and opened it to steal cash.

When questioned by gardaí about the matter at the time he said: “I don’t know how much I get. I take €15 from the box, enough for a bag of heroin and gambling. I’m trying to get into rehab. I hate what I’m doing.” 

Sergeant Kelleheher said the same man was caught stealing at another church in Cork city the following month.

At St Pater and Paul’s church he was confronted by the sacristan on the afternoon of October 21, 2022. He fled with cash.

A total of €150 was stolen from a donation box using a fishing tool.

Charles Nolan of Murphy Gardens, Evergreen Road, Cork, pleaded guilty at Cork District Court to both charges of theft.

Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer said the accused man had serious health issues and was trying to put his offending behaviour behind him.

Judge Olann Kelleher imposed the jail term of ten months but in light of the defendant’s circumstances he suspended the sentence in its entirety.