Man jailed for Ballyshannon theft and assault

A 30-year-old man who stole a truck from a coal-yard and then burned it and separately committed a violent assault, was sentenced to jail for 15 months yesterday(Fri).
Judge Kevin Kilrane noted that Gary Cole, who was arrested in Newtowncunningham, and others broke into the coal yard in Ballyshannon, stole petty cash and keys in the office, and then drove to truck to Raphoe and burned it.
The judge observed at Ballyshanon District Court: “Apparently, he was out of his mind on drink or drugs. That was an aggravating factor.”
The court heard that seven days later Cole was involved in a “very serious episode” when “out of his mind to get money for drugs” during a raid on the Tasty Grill takeaway in Ballyshannon on April 4. He threatened staff with an 18-inch spanner and assaulted Patrick McGahernr.
Cole, of Glenview, Kinlough, Co. Leitrim, who admitted the offences, is already serving a jail term due to expire next month for other convictions.
Judge Kilrane jailed him for nine months and banned him from driving for six years for the coal-truck theft. Cole was given six months for assault on Mr McGahern. The sentences, to run consecutively, are dated from April 7