Courts / Cork / Report

Serial burglar stole charity box from toy store on Christmas Eve

Date
2017-03-24

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Cork

County
Cork

Summary

Mark Hurley, aged 22, pleaded guilty to burglary of Pinocchio's toy store on Paul Street, Cork, on 22 December 2014. He broke a window, stole €1,200, a charity collection box and an i‑pod nano, and damaged a card‑reading machine, hindering the shopkeeper's ability to process card transactions during the busy Christmas period. Hurley left a palm print that led to his identification. He had 33 prior convictions, including 23 burglaries and 15 offences committed while on bail, and had recently been released from Portlaoise prison on temporary release. The Circuit Court had sentenced him to six years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. On appeal, the Court of Appeal found the starting point too high and re‑sentenced him to five years' imprisonment, again with the final two years suspended. He was required to enter a good‑behaviour bond for the suspended period.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Serial burglar stole charity box from toy store on Christmas Eve. Charges or matters: burglary of Pinocchio's toy store on Paul Street in Cork on December 22, 2014. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

December 22, 2014 Incident
April 28, 2016 Incident
Christmas Incident
2017-03-24 Publication

Why: Damage was caused to a card reading machine which was of considerable significance, the judge said, because it meant the shopkeeper was unable to process card transactions at the busiest time of year for a toy store. CNI source report

Case subjects

Mark Hurley

Appellant

Charges: burglary of Pinocchio's toy store on Paul Street in Cork on December 22, 2014 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He was sentenced to six years imprisonment with the final two suspended by Judge Gerard O'Brien on April 28, 2016. He was accordingly re-sentenced to five years imprisonment with the final two suspended.