Courts / Dublin / Report

Would-be thief followed man who cashed cheque

Date
2016-11-10

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Michael Cawley, 44, of Swords, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment with two years suspended, meaning a two‑year custodial term, for attempted theft and criminal damage. The offence occurred on 26 March 2015 when he followed a man, Alan O'Neill, who had just cashed a €2,100 cheque at Bank of Ireland. Cawley entered the bank, joined the queue behind O'Neill, and after the cheque was cashed he followed O'Neill to his car. CCTV and a witness photo showed Cawley smashing the front passenger window and reaching into the vehicle, though he took no money. He pleaded guilty; the judge noted his 153 prior convictions, 120 of which were thefts linked to social welfare fraud, and his serious alcohol problem. He was also the sole provider for his wife, who receives a disability allowance. The court accepted a €100 payment as an expression of remorse for the damage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Would-be thief followed man who cashed cheque. Charges or matters: attempted theft and criminal damage of a vehicle at The Black Lyon Pub, Inchicore, Dublin 8 on March 26, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When: