Galway Gardaí found bolt-cutters after suspicious man took off
A ‘foolish’ young man found with bolt cutters during a late-night incident at a building in Oranmore said a license plate on a nearby car had been altered to avoid penalty points.
Edward Barrett (20), with an address at Bay 3 St Nicholas Park, Ballybrit Road, pleaded guilty to two charges arising from an incident at Maree Road, Oranmore on June 4, 2025.
Barrett pleaded guilty that, when not at his place of residence, he was in possession of an article – yellow bolt cutters, with the intention it be used in the course of or in connection with a burglary, contrary to Section 15 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act.
He is also admitted fraudulently using a plate issued under provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1961, contrary to section 115 of the Act as amended by Section 20 of the Road Traffic Act 2006.
Sergeant Claire Heneghan told Galway District Court that at around 1.40am on the day in question, Gardaí on mobile patrol observed a male dressed all in black, walk towards the front curtilage of a building. The court heard the accused took off running and was pursued by Gardai.
Sgt Heneghan said Gardai searched the area and found a red bag containing bolt cutters, and a car was located parked nearby.
The license plate of the vehicle had been altered and when the accused was apprehended, he was in possession of the car key. Other tools and a pair of gloves were also found in the vehicle.
Edward Barrett has no previous convictions and was 19 at the time of the incident.
Solicitor Michael Cunningham told the court that the license plate was altered using black tape which his client said was done to ‘avoid penalty points’.
Judge Vincent Deane ordered a report from the probation services and adjourned the case to July 8.
Funded by Courts Reporting Scheme.