'I need treatment': Drug addict charged with burglaries at three Church properties

Nathan Coughlan took to the witness box and told Judge Liddy: 'I need to get help. Jail is not the answer.'

Nathan Coughlan (pictured) was before Letterkenny District Court on Tuesday where he was refused bail by Judge Ciaran Liddy. Picture: North West Newspix

A man with 123 previous convictions has been remanded in custody after appearing in court over burglaries at three Church properties in Donegal.

Nathan Coughlan was before Letterkenny District Court on Tuesday where he was refused bail by Judge Ciaran Liddy. The 27-year-old, with an address at Silverhill, Bundoran, was charged that at St Mary's Church, Stranorlar, on July 14, 2024, while being on the premises as a trespasser, he committed an arrestable offence therein, to wit theft.

He is charged with similar offences at St Mary's Parish Hall, Stranorlar, on July 13, 2024, and the Parochial House, Main Street, Stranorlar, on July 14, 2024.

Detective Garda John O'Sullivan from Ballybofey Garda Station gave evidence of arresting Coughlan at Main Street, Ballybofey, on July 15, 2024, at 12.20pm for an offence contrary to Section 12 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.

A CCTV hard drive worth €500, taken from one of the properties, was recovered by gardaí from the River Finn after being dumped by Coughlan. A sum of €65 in cash and a key were not recovered.

When charged, Coughlan told detectives: “I am sorry. It shouldn't have happened. I just needed money to get my fix.” Coughlan also told interviewing gardaí: “It shouldn't have happened. I am a drug addict with a drug habit.” 

Responding to the charge relating to the alleged incident at the parish hall, the accused said: “I'm sorry. It shouldn't have happened. I was looking for money to feed my habit.” 

Detective Garda Cathal Feely gave evidence of further charges against Coughlan. He is charged with stealing clothing worth €41 from Dunnes Stores in Letterkenny on March 24, 2024.

He is also charged with the criminal damage of a potted plant at Letterkenny University Hospital on July 15, 2024, and with contravening a barring order at an address in Bundoran. He also faces a charge of failing to appear at Manorhamilton District Court on July 10, 2024.

Warrants were also executed on Coughlan relating to the theft of a 70cl bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey, worth €40, from McCormack's Service Station in Leitrim on May 28, 2024, and the theft of €5 from a St Vincent de Paul donation box at St Coleman's Church, Claremorris on December 8, 2019.

Detective Garda O'Sullivan objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the charges, the sentence likely to be imposed upon conviction — burglary carries a sentence of up to 14 years in prison — and the strength of the evidence available.

The court heard that Coughlan made full admissions when apprehended by gardaí. Coughlan took to the witness box and told Judge Liddy: 

I need to get help. Jail is not the answer.

Coughlan told the court that he has been residing at a friend's house in recent times. “I need stability,” he said. “I need treatment.” 

Noting that Coughlan has 123 previous convictions, 76 of which were committed while on bail, and has 18 bench warrants, Judge Liddy refused bail.

Should a place in a treatment centre become available, Judge Liddy said the bail conditions could be relaxed. Coughlan was remanded in custody to appear via video link at Letterkenny District Court on July 22.