Courts / Dublin / Report

Lookout who left phone at burglary scene avoids jail

Date
2016-10-17

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A 22‑year‑old man, Garrett Lyster, was found guilty of burglary after a break‑in at a couple's Finglas home in May 2013. He acted as a lookout and was caught when he left his mobile phone at the scene, which was recovered by the couple's son. The phone was linked to Lyster, who admitted to "keeping sketch" during the burglary. The court heard that the elderly couple, aged in their early nineties, were in bed when the intruders entered. One raider struck the husband with a saw and then cut his hand with a sharp object before fleeing. Gardaí arrived shortly after and the victim was taken to hospital. Lyster pleaded guilty and was given a one‑year sentence, suspended on strict conditions, by Judge Catherine Murphy. The prosecution noted the couple had no victim impact reports due to the woman's Alzheimer's and the man's ill health.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Lookout who left phone at burglary scene avoids jail. Charges or matters: burglary at the house in Finglas on May 12, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

May 12, 2013 Incident
2016-10-17 Publication

Why: The court heard there were no victim impact reports from the couple because the woman had Alzheimer's disease and the man was very ill. Court evidence reported by CNI