Drug addict father of three convicted of church break-ins

CO DONEGAL, Ireland – A man who broke into five churches, rectories and pastoral centers in County Donegal has been sentenced to one year in prison.

Nathan Coughlan appeared before Letterkenny District Court and pleaded guilty to several counts of theft from hotels, supermarkets, petrol stations and churches.

The father of three, who has 123 previous convictions since 2014, told Gardai at the arraignment: “I'm sorry, I have a drug problem.”

The 28-year-old sat in the courtroom as Detective Garda read out a series of old and new charges against Coughlan dating back to 2019.

Coughlan has been in prison for a month. He was accused of a number of thefts and acts of vandalism in churches and parish buildings across Donegal.

He was accused of breaking into St. Mary's Church in Bocan and stealing donation boxes from Star of the Sea Church.

Coughlan also admitted entering the parish hall of St Mary's Church in Stranorlar and stealing a key.

The next day, he entered the church and was caught on surveillance camera stealing a computer hard drive, which he later threw into the nearby River Finn.

On the same day, he broke into St. Mary's Parochial House to steal cash through a window.

Coughlan was also charged with a number of offences committed over several days at various petrol stations and shops across Donegal.

He was also accused of stealing alcohol and clothing.

On 14 July this year, he entered LIDL in Ballybofey and demanded to use the staff toilets.

However, he broke into a staff room through security doors and stole numerous bank cards, driving licenses and other items, including a LIDL uniform top.

He is also accused of stealing a bank card from someone in Thorndale and then using it to book a room at Dillon's Hotel in Letterkenny and pay for food and drinks.

Lawyer Rory O'Brien made an emotional plea on behalf of his client, claiming that Coughlan had admitted all charges.

He stated that his client had a history of problems at a young age and that he started drinking before switching to cocaine and becoming addicted.

Mr O'Brien said his client had apologised to the victims and intended to be reunited with his partner and children.

Noting that his client is not yet irretrievably lost, he said, “He still hopes to become a better version of himself.”

The defendant stood in the witness stand and expressed his desire to apologize to each of his victims.

He explained: “I know it's wrong, but it's just an addiction. I should never have done those things, but I was high.”

“Thank God I never went so far as to harm anyone.

“For the past two years, my life has been dominated by alcohol and drugs and I have been looking for treatment. My thoughts have been confused. I am confident that if I get therapy, which is my main goal, I can get my life and eventually my family back.”

Judge Ciaran Liddy sentenced Coughlan to 12 months' imprisonment for the robbery at the LIDL store in Ballybofey, 12 months' imprisonment for the burglary at St Mary's Church in Stranorlar and 12 months' imprisonment for the burglary at St Mary's Church in Bocan. The sentences will all be served consecutively.

He took into account all other charges and backdated Coughlan's sentence to when he was imprisoned.