Courts / Dublin / Report
"Menace to society" jailed for burglary, car theft and attacking prison officer
Summary
Michael Royal, aged 41, was sentenced by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to six and a half years in prison, with the final 18 months suspended. He pleaded guilty to assaulting Prison Officer Paul Hayes at Mountjoy Prison on 27 October 2012, to trespassing and theft of a BMW, an iPhone 5s and a TV on 2 December 2013, and to a burglary that led to a car theft. Royal had previously left Ireland after a trial date for the burglary but was returned to the country. The judge, citing Royal's history of 40 convictions for robbery, burglary, assault and drug offences, described him as a "menace to society." Royal was also ordered to undergo 18 months of post‑release probation supervision. The court noted that Officer Hayes suffered fractured bones and a jaw injury requiring surgery after the assault. The case highlighted Royal's long‑term drug addiction and the impact of his criminal behaviour on the community.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Menace to society" jailed for burglary, car theft and attacking prison officer. Charges or matters: assaulting Officer Paul Hayes at Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, on October 27, 2012; trespass and theft of a BMW car, iPhone 5s and a TV at John Dillon Street, Dublin on December 2, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 27, 2012 Incident
- December 2, 2013 Incident
- December 2013 Other
- 2018-01-30 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assaulting Officer Paul Hayes at Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, on October 27, 2012; trespass and theft of a BMW car, iPhone 5s and a TV at John Dillon Street, Dublin on December 2, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He imposed a six and a half year sentence with the final 18 months suspended for the period.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Mountjoy
- Mountjoy Prison
- The prison
- Other prison
- Meath Place
- Dublin
- John Dillon Street
- went to Kevin Street Garda Station
- Kevin Street
- Francis Street
- Prussia Street
- Dublin
Topics
Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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