2026-01-22
Violent burglar threatened to kill Carmelite brother at retreat centre
Stage: Sentence
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Orla Crowe said the incident must have been "utterly and totally terrifying" when the first injured party, who was "quite advanced in years", woke up and found Byrne standing over him. "It's hard to imagine a more terrifying experience," said Judge Crowe. Judge Crowe set a headline sentence of 10 years but considering mitigation, handed down seven-and-a-half-year sentence with the final 12 months suspended for a period of two years on strict conditions.