A ram-raider was caught after he left the license plate of his car at the scene of a robbery.
Bernard McGinley was part of a gang who drove a car into the front of a petrol station in St Johnston.
But Gardai managed to trace the 25 year old father-of-one after his license plate fell off at the Foyle View Service station in Dundee, St.Johnston on December 2nd, 2010.
Letterkenny District Court was told McGinley and his gang robbed a cash register drawer containing €200 and an Eircom payphone during the 7am raid.
Gardai used CCTV and traced the damaged Opel Astra car to 3 Canal Road, Letterkenny.
They also managed to identify McGinley who was wearing the same clothing from the CCTV and also the same jewellery.
McGinley’s solicitor Michael Shiel said his client was taking the rap for all members of the gang and was frightened to help Gardai.
He had a drink and drug problem but was trying to address it.
The court heard that €4,000 in damage caused to the garage during the raid had not been paid back.
McGinley had a number of previous convictions for drink-driving, car theft and failing to stop for Gardai.
Judge Paul Kelly said he had no question that McGinley would have to go to jail.
He sentenced him to a total of 12 months in prison for various offences including criminal damage and theft.
AT HEARING.