Courts / Dublin / Report
Jail for man who was teen when he acted as "distraction" during burglaries
Summary
Michael Cawley, aged 24, received a three‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for acting as a distraction in four burglaries and one attempted burglary of elderly homes in Dublin between February and May 2010. He was 17 at the time of the offences. The court noted he had returned to the UK after the crimes and was now a married father of two living in Clondalkin, Dublin. Cawley had seven prior convictions and was serving a two‑year sentence with nine months suspended for similar offences in Cork. Judge Martin Nolan described the crimes as "atrocious" and said they exploited the trust of elderly victims, but noted there was no real violence. The judge imposed the sentence, stating it would have been longer had Cawley not been a minor when the offences occurred. Cawley claimed he was forced by an accomplice and had no knowledge of the burglary plan. Michael Cawley pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail for man who was teen when he acted as "distraction" during burglaries. Charges or matters: four burglaries and one attempted burglary at the homes of elderly people at various locations in Dublin on dates between February and May 2010. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 2010 Incident
- February 2010 Other
- 2016-11-03 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: four burglaries and one attempted burglary at the homes of elderly people at various locations in Dublin on dates between February and May 2010 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Cawley has seven other convictions and is currently serving a two year sentence with the final nine months suspended for similar offences which was imposed earlier this week in Cork Circuit Court. Judge Nolan imposed a three and a half year sentence and told Cawley it would have been more if it were not for his age at the time of the offences.
Places mentioned
- St Olivers Park
- Cloverhill Road
- Dublin
Topics
Burglary Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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