Dublin man who found Wicklow hotel master key card admits stealing €5,000 worth of jewellery
The Wicklow PeopleA man who entered a hotel room after finding a master key card on the floor has pleaded guilty to stealing €5,000 worth of jewellery from someone’s room in a Wicklow hotel.
Aaron Farrelly (22), of Cashel Road, Crumlin, County Dublin, appeared at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing. He pleaded guilty to one count of burglary.
Garda Sly Barron of Arklow Garda Station gave evidence that on November 6, 2024, gardaí attended the Arklow Bay Hotel, after a manager contacted them having observed two males pushing a black Yamaha motorbike and “looking suspiciously”.
Another guest of the hotel had made a complaint that jewellery valued at €5,000 had been taken from their hotel room.
The jewellery was recovered several days later outside the hotel in a plant pot.
Mr Farrelly was arrested at the Bridgewater Shopping Centre and interviewed.
His co-accused, Dáire Lynch (24), of Stannaway Road, Crumlin, was sentenced to one year imprisonment for handling stolen property, after gardaí noticed that the bike had an emulator plugged into it.
An emulator is an electronic device used by thieves to bypass a motorcycle’s ignition system, allowing the bike to be started without a key.
The bike had been stolen from Lucan, County Dublin, on September 3, 2024.
Gda Barron noted that nothing of a “probative nature” was said by Mr Farrelly during questioning.
Counsel for the prosecution, James Kelly informed the court that the maximum tariff for burglary is 14 years imprisonment.
Mr Farrelly has 72 previous convictions for a wide range of offences.
During cross-examination, the court was told that Mr Farrelly found a master key card on the floor at the Arklow Bay Hotel and entered a room, before exiting two minutes later.
Barrister for the accused, Sorcha Dianamh Ní Néill Fulham, remarked that her client was highly intoxicated and was brought back to his room by Mr Lynch after the theft. “Taking the jewellery was not a conscious choice,” said Ms Fulham.
It was noted that the pair were not native to Arklow and were staying in the hotel as guests.
Ms Fulham said her client is a young gentleman with several issues and had been a patient at Beaumont Hospital with a traumatic brain injury after being “savagely beaten” by a group of males with golf clubs.
In October 2024, he was also a patient at Tallaght Hospital following a serious car accident, where he suffered further brain injuries.
Ms Fulham said the defendant has struggled with mental health and alcohol issues, but no psychological report was before the court.
Judge Patrick Quinn adjourned the matter for finalisation, with the accused to appear at Wicklow Circuit Court on April 30 for the finalisation of his sentence.
Counsel noted that his mother and aunt were in attendance to show their support.