Courts / Dublin / Report
Serial criminal committed 56 burglaries in 16-month period; 33 while on bail
Summary
John Matthews, aged 38, was sentenced by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four and a half years imprisonment for 56 burglaries committed over a 16‑month period, 33 of which occurred while he was out on bail. The judge suspended an additional four and a half years on the condition that Matthews keep the peace for five years after release and attend drug treatment programmes. Matthews, from Desmond Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, had 124 previous convictions, 115 of them for burglary. Prosecutor Marie Torrens BL described how Matthews would knock on doors, check for occupants, then break in by smashing windows or door glass. Victims reported loss of jewellery, a wedding ring, Christmas presents, and €20 in loose change, and one elderly victim incurred €30 in window repair costs. Matthews pleaded guilty to sample counts of burglary between 19 January 2015 and 22 April 2016 at locations in south Dublin, including Rathfarnham and Dun Laoghaire.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Serial criminal committed 56 burglaries in 16-month period; 33 while on bail. Charges or matters: sample counts of burglary committed between January 19, 2015 and April 22 2016 at a number of locations in south Dublin, including Rathfarnham and Dun Laoghaire. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 19, 2015 Incident
- April 22 2016 Incident
- Christmas Other
- 2018-03-22 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: sample counts of burglary committed between January 19, 2015 and April 22 2016 at a number of locations in south Dublin, including Rathfarnham and Dun Laoghaire (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Pauline Codd jailed Matthews for four and a half years.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request