James Spellman Junior and Trevor Matthews receive fully suspended prison terms for theft

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

James Spellman Junior and Trevor Matthews each received two years in prison, suspended in full on strict conditions including engagement with the Probation Service for a year, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Melanie Greally imposed the sentences on 1 February 2016. Both men pleaded guilty to theft. The proceedings were reported on 1 February 2016.

The theft occurred at Convent Cottage, Firhouse Road, on 4 April 2015. Garda Peter Finnan told prosecuting barrister Eilis Brennan that, while patrolling at 9.30pm, he saw three men putting an iron gate into a van. Another matching gate was already inside. The men declined to answer questions or accept responsibility for a nearby pickaxe. The listed gates dated from 1710 and were considered invaluable because of their age.

The judge found that the defendants had helped carry out a theft conceived by someone else. She took account of their limited records and appropriate dealings with gardaí. Garda Finnan accepted under defence questioning that neither man had directed the operation. He also accepted that the cottage was empty and derelict, awaiting renovation. An arrest warrant had since been issued for the third man present.

Gabby Deane, defending Matthews, said he had three children whose mother, his partner, had died nine years earlier. He cared for his mother, who had several medical conditions. She described abuse within his childhood family and his efforts to protect his mother. Matthews had been offered €30 to help move the gates, she said. He regretted his involvement, and apology letters were submitted.

Sarah-Jane O’Callaghan, defending Spellman, questioned his fitness for sentencing after heavy drinking on 26 January 2016 and taking two Valium on 1 February 2016. She attributed the Valium to anxiety about the case. Spellman insisted on proceeding, and the judge allowed sentencing after checking his wishes.

Garda Finnan accepted that Spellman had heroin and alcohol addictions, a low IQ and particular vulnerability to being led by others. His barrister said he had contacted Father Peter McVerry to address his addiction; his sister supplied a letter supporting his efforts.