A 27-year-old Irvinestown man, who stole a woman's handbag from the smoking area of Mahon's Hotel in the town has been handed a six month suspended prison sentence when he appeared before a recent sitting of Fermanagh Magistrates Court.

Richard Martin Maughan, from Sallyswood in the town, pleaded guilty to the offence of stealing the handbag on 24th June this year at the hotel.

The court heard that on the date in question, police received a report that a handbag had been stolen from the smoking area of Mahon's Hotel. When the CCTV footage from the premises was examined, the defendant was identified leaving the hotel, with his partner, holding what appeared to be a black handbag.

CCTV footage of the Necarne Arms, also in Irvinestown, from the same night also showed the defendant who still appeared to be in possession of a black handbag.

The defendant was arrested on 6th July and interviewed about the offence. He told police that he didn't remember stealing the handbag but that if he had done, he was sorry.

Days later, when police called to the defendant's home, the defendant handed them the handbag and £70 in cash saying he wished this to be returned to the injured party.

The handbag was subsequently returned to the injured party who confirmed that there was nothing missing and that everything was accounted for.

Defending, Dara Montague said that her client was a married father of four young children. His instructions to her were that he had no recollection of these events but that he had retraced his steps and located the handbag.

She said that Maughan was apologetic about the incident, which – the court heard – happened after the defendant had been out drinking following his daughter's christening.

The defence submitted that since this incident, the defendant had not been drinking and was now working full-time in Dublin.

The court was told that the defendant was willing to pay compensation to the injured party.

Sentencing, Resident Magistrate Bonita Boyd said that this was another offence to add to the defendant's substantial record. Ms Boyd noted that this offence was committed 23 days after the defendant had been released from custody.

A six month prison sentence was imposed, suspended for two years. The defendant was also ordered pay £100 compensation to the victim in this case.