Courts / Dublin / Report
"Vulnerable" man who broke in to string of premises avoids jail
Summary
Joseph O'Shaughnessy, 30, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft and criminal damage after breaking into a Mr Price shop, a Westpark Fitness Gym and a Metro Café Bar in Tallaght on 4‑5 December 2015. He kicked the Mr Price door, threw a rock at the gym door and smashed the bar door, stealing €1,000 from the till. Blood samples and CCTV identified him at all scenes. O'Shaughnessy has a lifelong intellectual disability diagnosed after the offences, and two psychologists described him as a vulnerable adult with very low cognitive skills and a high susceptibility to influence. He has 20 prior convictions, mainly minor traffic offences, none resulting in jail. The court, considering his disability and a supportive regime, imposed a 12‑month sentence suspended in full for 18 months. He was ordered to complete offence‑focused work, victim‑awareness work, a structured educational programme, keep the peace and obey Probation Services for 18 months.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Vulnerable" man who broke in to string of premises avoids jail. Charges or matters: three counts of theft and criminal damage at various commercial premises in Tallaght on the night of December 4 and 5, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 4 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-01-19 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: three counts of theft and criminal damage at various commercial premises in Tallaght on the night of December 4 and 5, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Cormac Quinn gave O'Shaughnessy a 12-month sentence but suspended it in full for 18 months.
Places mentioned
- Cherry Orchard Drive
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Court
- Airton Road
- Greenshills Road
- Old Blessington Road
Topics
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