Courts / Dublin / Report
Burglar ransacked parochial house and stole poor box money while priest was saying mass
Summary
Gary Culhane, 40, from Limerick, pleaded guilty to burglary at The Good Shepherd Church and Parochial House in Churchtown, Dublin, on 15 October 2016. He forced entry through the front door while the priest was away saying mass, ransacking the house and stealing €650, a mix of the priest's own money, collections and the poor box. The neighbouring church office was also broken into but nothing was taken. Garda Aine Bolton, who had received CCTV footage, identified Culhane and arrested him the next day. He admitted to being "stuck for cash," having debts and a chronic drug addiction, and claimed he had found money in the office and in envelopes. He has 97 prior convictions, including burglary, robbery and theft, and has spent 20 years in prison. The court adjourned sentencing to October to allow a probation report to be prepared. The plea in mitigation will be heard on that date.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Burglar ransacked parochial house and stole poor box money while priest was saying mass. Charges or matters: burglary at The Good Shepard Church and Parochial House, Nutgrove Avenue, Churchtown, Dublin on October 15, 2016. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- October 15, 2016 Incident
- 2017-07-06 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: burglary at The Good Shepard Church and Parochial House, Nutgrove Avenue, Churchtown, Dublin on October 15, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Melanie Greally adjourned sentencing until October to allow a probation report be prepared.
Places mentioned
- Camberley House
- Parochial House
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Nutgrove Avenue
Topics
Burglary Drugs Stage Hearing Or Decision Theft
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