Courts / Dublin / Report
Aggravated burglar (21) with 64 previous convictions has sentence doubled
Summary
Leon Byrne, a 21-year-old with 64 previous convictions, had his sentence doubled following a successful appeal by the Director of Public Prosecution, who argued the original term was unduly lenient. Byrne had previously pleaded guilty to robbery, aggravated burglary, assault causing harm, and unlawful taking of a vehicle in Dublin between April 2014 and April 2015. In July 2017, Judge Karen O'Connor sentenced him to a net three-and-a-half-year term. Today, a three-judge court presided over by Mr Justice John Edwards re-sentenced Byrne to seven years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. The court noted Byrne's troubled history, including addiction and homelessness, but emphasized the need for rehabilitation. As a condition of the suspended portion, Byrne was required to enter into a good behaviour bond, which he undertook to do. The effective custody period is five years, reflecting the totality principle applied by the court.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Aggravated burglar (21) with 64 previous convictions has sentence doubled. Charges or matters: robbery on one occasion, aggravated burglary, assault causing harm and production of a broken tile on another occasion as well as burglary, production of a knife and unlawful taking of a vehicle on a third separate occasion in the capital, all on dates between April 2014 and April 2015. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- April 2014 Incident
- April 2015 Incident
- July 17, 2017 Other
- 2018-04-26 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: robbery on one occasion, aggravated burglary, assault causing harm and production of a broken tile on another occasion as well as burglary, production of a knife and unlawful taking of a vehicle on a third separate occasion in the capital, all on dates between April 2014 and April 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced on three bill numbers to a net three-and-a-half year jail term by Judge Karen O'Connor on July 17, 2017. The Director of Public Prosecution successfully sought a review of Byrne's sentence on grounds that it was unduly lenient and he was accordingly re-sentenced today to seven years imprisonment with the final two suspended.
Places mentioned
- Lourdes Road
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- St Anthony's Road
- Reuben Street
Topics
Burglary Stage Appeal Theft Violent Crime
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