Courts / Dublin / Report

Violent home invader so intoxicated gardai found him "impossible to put down" with pepper spray and batons

Date
2018-03-07
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In March 2018, a Dublin man, Michael Doyle, 27, was jailed for six years after breaking into a neighbour's house, holding a knife to the homeowner's throat while heavily intoxicated on alcohol and prescription drugs. Garda Michael McGuinness reported that Doyle's intoxication made him "impossible to put down" when officers used pepper spray and batons. The pepper spray had no effect; Doyle fought and threatened five officers, resisted arrest, and threatened to kill the homeowner. He had previously pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and threats to kill in May 2017. Doyle had 45 prior convictions, including assaults and public order offences. He was found unfit for interview for six hours but later presented as a "different person" after sobering up. The court accepted that his extreme intoxication contributed to the incident and imposed a six‑year custodial sentence, back‑dated to his arrest in May 2017.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Violent home invader so intoxicated gardai found him "impossible to put down" with pepper spray and batons. Charges or matters: aggravated burglary and threats to kill at Redmond's Court, Kilbarrack, Dublin 5 on May 27, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Michael Doyle

Defendant

Charges: aggravated burglary and threats to kill at Redmond's Court, Kilbarrack, Dublin 5 on May 27, 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He accepted Doyle didn't get a great start in life but said he must impose a serious custodial sentence.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Address Area
  • North Cumberland Street

Topics

Burglary Drugs Public Order Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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