Stolen caravan returned to Longford man after costing taxpayer over €40k in storage fees

Brendan Kelly of Ferefad, Ardagh Rd, Longford made a counter application to the court for the return of the vehicle.

Sergeant Mark Mahon stated that the application arose regarding a caravan stolen in Germany in September 2012. The value of the vehicle at the time was €10,000.

Sgt Mahon outlined that the caravan was seized from a third party, John McLoughlin, in September 2020. It has been in storage ever since and has incurred storage fees of €41,000.

Ms Mimnagh explained to Judge Bernadette Owens that her client, Mr Kelly, bought the caravan in good faith and after two years of ownership sold it on for €9,500 to the third party.

Mr Kelly re-paid the injured party, Mr McLoughlin, in full. The original injured party in Germany was fully reimbursed by their insurance company.

“Mr Kelly has been waiting to get his caravan back since 2020,” Ms Mimnagh said, “this is a man who has never stood in a court before.”

Sergeant Mahon accepted the solicitor's statement that her client had paid back Mr McLoughlin.

Judge Owens said she was satisfied the injured parties were notified and had no further interest in the caravan and were fully reimbursed.

The judge said it would be “disproportionate to direct the forfeit of the caravan to the State” as Mr Kelly is an innocent party in the matter. The judge directed the caravan be returned to the applicant.