A young man who was ordered to burgle premises by a gang he owed money to has been jailed for more than four years.
Kevin Carmichael carried out a litany of break-ins to schools, shops, private houses and sports clubs.
The 24 year old appeared at Letterkenny District Court today to face the charges.
The court heard that Carmichael stole almost €5,000 worth of goods including laptops, televisions, jewellery and cash to pay off a drug debt to a gang.
Each time Carmichael stole the property he was met by the gang who moved on the stolen goods and reduced his debt.
“On one occasion we believe the stolen goods were moved on within just 20 minutes of the robbery,” Gardai told the court.
The same school, Colaiste Ailigh in Letterkenny, was burgled three times by Carmichael.
His solicitor Patsy Gallagher said there was a death threat out against his client and asked that his address be kept secret.
“This is a man living in fear of his life for this gang – there is no question about it.
“Even today I got a phonecall from Gardai to say he would be here at the last minute.
“He is a man who is trying to address his ways but he finds himself in fear of these people. I think the Gardai will agree that they would not have solved many of these crimes but for my client came forward,” he said.
He appealed to Judge Paul Kelly not to jail Carmichael and allow him to earn some money so he could pay back the people whom he had robbed.
However Judge Paul Kelly revealed he had sentenced Carmichael to prison earlier this year for burglary but suspended it for a year.
He then jailed him for six months for that offence, fined him a further €250 for criminal damage and then jailed him for a further six months for eight burglary charges.
All those charges are to run concurrently meaning he will serve a total of 12 months in jail.
Judge Kelly also ordered that Carmichael be given medical help for his addictions.
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