A man burgled a house in Ballyshannon while in the company of his two young children last month.
A probation report has been ordered in the case of Mykhalio Bruhosh, who appeared before Ballyshannon District Court.
The 22-year-old, with an address at Marine View, Bundoran, was charged with theft and criminal damage at a property in Carrickboy, Ballyshannon, on May 15, 2026.
Bruhosh was apprehended by Gardai after his children were spotted leaving the property over a hedge.
Mr Gerry McGovern, solicitor for Bruhosh, said his client was pleading guilty to the charges and Judge Éiteáin Cunningham formally accepted jurisdiction.
Inspector Tony Byrne outlined the case. He said that Gardai attended the address at 5.25pm following a report of a burglary.
A woman reported that she arrived at her parents’ vacant house and noticed two small children at the rear of the property.
The woman noted that a window was broken and the children fled over a hedge.
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A short distance away, Bruhosh – who was with the two children at that point – was arrested on suspicion of burglary. He was detained at Ballyshannon Garda Station and a mobile phone, a pair of binoculars and a quantity of jewellery were found on his person. The total value of the items taken was €250, the court heard.
He was charged with theft, contrary to section 12 (1) (b) and (3) of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraudulent) Offences Act, 2001. He was also charged with causing criminal damage to the window, a charge contrary to section 2 (1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1990.
The items were identified by the woman who reported the burglary and Bruhosh, who has no previous convictions, made full admissions when questioned.
Mr McGovern sad that Bruhosh cooperated fully and the goods were recovered. He told the court that Bruhosh, a father-of-two, has been living in Ireland for four years and has not come to the notice of Gardai again since.
Judge Cunningham said that these were “very serious matters”.
She said that one’s dwelling house “should be a place of sanctuary”, but the most concerning aspect was the involvement of two children.
“That is absolutely aggravating,” Judge Cunningham said.
She said that she would take into account Bruhosh’s early plea and the fact that he has no previous.
However, given the nature of the matters, she directed the preparation of a probation and welfare report.
The case was adjourned to September 18. Legal aid was granted by Mr McGovern and certification granted for a Ukrainian translator.