THREE MEMBERS of a Derry criminal gang were given a lift by police officers while on their way to attempting to steal cars from a local garage.
The Crown Court in Derry was told yesterday that, in an attempt to provide an alibi for themselves, the three were given a lift by the police to a local hotel where they were recorded on CCTV drinking in the bar area just hours before other police officers fired shots over their heads during an attempted break-in at a garage on the outskirts of the city.
The defendants, father of five Sean McMonagle, (34), from Manorwood, John Paul Harkin, (27), from Bradley Park, and Kevin McClintock, (23), from John Street, admitted a joint charge of possessing an imitation firearm with criminal intent.
McMonagle also admitted further charges of stealing a VW van and causing criminal damage to the Three Flowers Bar at Buncrana Road close to the border with Co. Donegal.
All the offences were committed on February 24 of last year.
McMonagle, who had 107 previous convictions before yesterday’s sentencing, was jailed for four and a half years. Harkin, who had 75 previousconvictions before the case, and McClintock who had 14 previous convictions, were both jailed for two and a half years, eighteen months of which will be on custody probation.
Looking at the number of previous convictions they had I think we can safely go with the stupidity option.
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