Man dubbed ‘the most prolific burglar in Galway’ gets fifteen months
A man, who was once dubbed “the most prolific burglar in Galway”, was sentenced to fifteen months in prison this week for stealing a car and driving it without insurance.
Jonathan Harlowe (34), of no fixed abode and originally from Seaman’s Drive, Riverside, appeared in custody before Galway District Court where he pleaded guilty to stealing a Volkswagen Passat car, parked at Ard na Coille, Maunsell’s Road, Salthill on January 16 last.
Harlowe pleaded guilty also to handling the car keys along with a set of house keys which were stolen during a burglary at a house in Kingston, on the same date.
He further pleaded guilty to driving without insurance or a driving licence on the same occasion.
Co-accused, Thomas Folan (32), a native of Mervue, with an address at 4 Fana Buí, Ballymoneen Road, and of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to allowing himself to be carried in the stolen car.
He further pleaded guilty to stealing aftershave worth €140 from Matt O’Flaherty chemists, William Street on November 26 last year and to stealing €10 worth of sweets and ice-cream from Ballindooley Stores on November 15.
Sergeant Finbarr Philpott told the court that a bunch of keys was stolen during a burglary at a house in Kingston on January 15 last and a car was taken from outside the property. Gardaí located the car parked at Maunsell's Road in the early hours of January 16.
They put the car under surveillance and a short time later two men approached the car and used the keys – which had been taken earlier in the burglary – to open it.
Harlowe, who was in the driver’s seat, started the car and attempted to drive away when the Gardai approached, but the car got bogged down in a green area and both he and Folan, who was a front seat passenger, were arrested.
For full report, read this week's Galway City Tribune.