Courts / Dublin / Report
Addict broke in to woman's home and threatened to kill her before dragging her down city-centre street
Summary
In a Dublin city‑centre incident on 11 February 2015, 41‑year‑old Colm Donnelly broke into a woman's home, threatened to kill her, and dragged her about 60 metres down a street while brandishing a metal bar. He told Kelly Cullen he was HIV‑positive and forced her to withdraw money from an ATM. Cullen escaped when a passer‑by intervened, and the two fled, but Donnelly pursued them for a time before they outran him. Donnelly had earlier that day broken into an apartment at The Waterside, Ringsend, threatened a man with the bar, robbed his mobile phone, robbed a shop, and stole €300. He pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and false imprisonment, and was sentenced to three‑and‑a‑half years in prison, with the final six months suspended under conditions. The sentence was back‑dated to his initial custody in February.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Addict broke in to woman's home and threatened to kill her before dragging her down city-centre street. Charges or matters: one count of aggravated burglary at The Waterside, Ringsend, Dublin 2 and to falsely imprisoning Kelly Cullen and threatening to kill her at Grants Row, Dublin 2 on February 11, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 11, 2015 Incident
- 2016-12-05 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: one count of aggravated burglary at The Waterside, Ringsend, Dublin 2 and to falsely imprisoning Kelly Cullen and threatening to kill her at Grants Row, Dublin 2 on February 11, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: A man who broke into a woman's home, threatened to kill her and dragged her down a city-centre street while brandishing a metal bar has been jailed for three-and-a-half years. She handed down a four-year sentence but suspended the final six months on a number of conditions.
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