Pair who met in rehab charged with stealing Christmas booze haul

Stephen Maguire

Two men who met in rehab have been fined after stealing a Christmas booze haul worth around €140 from Tesco in Co Donegal.

The pair, who are from Belfast, appeared at Falcarragh District Court, charged with the thefts.

Dean Clark and John Stokes pleaded guilty to the thefts which took place at Tesco in Letterkenny on December 16th last.

The pair were charged that on December 16th, 2025, at Tesco, Letterkenny Shopping Centre, Letterkenny, they stole various alcohol bottles to the value of €141, which is the property of Tesco.

The charges are contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.

Garda Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that gardaí received a call from Tesco saying that a number of bottles of alcohol had been stolen.

Gardaí viewed CCTV footage of two men stealing bottles of Buckfast, Bombay Sapphire gin, Jameson whiskey and Vodka to the value of €141.

The men were later located a short distance away at the bus station and were drunk.

The alcohol had been hidden behind a wall at the bus station. The items were recovered and were resalable.

The court was told that both men have previous convictions in Northern Ireland but not in this jurisdiction.

Solicitor for both men, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said both men had been drinking for two full days before they stole the alcohol from Tesco.

He said Stokes, of Millrace, Belfast, was a separated man with three children who has a serious addiction to alcohol, having started drinking when he was just 12 years old.

Mr Gallagher said there was no "masterplan" for stealing the alcohol and the men had only managed to get a short distance before being found with the booze.

Clark, of Pottiger House, Belfast, Co Antrim, was a father of one who also has a serious addiction to alcohol.

He met and became friends with Stokes while the pair were in rehab trying to get off booze, Mr Gallagher said.

Mr Gallagher stressed that there was no aggravation to staff during the thefts.

Judge Emile Daly said retail outlets were busy enough this time of year without having to deal with people shoplifting from their shelves.

She noted there were no aggravating circumstances, the men were drunk and cooperative and had entered an early plea.

Judge Daly fined both men €100 for the theft but also ordered them to compensate Tesco €150 to take ownership of their behaviour.

She added that if there had not been an early plea, the court would have considered imposing a suspended sentence.