Courts / Cork / Report
Serial burglar loses appeal against 9-year prison term
Summary
Don Duggan, aged 30, had 28 prior burglary convictions and pleaded guilty to burglary in Tipperary and a threat to kill on 23 December 2015. He received a ten‑year sentence with four years suspended, imposed by Judge Thomas Teehan at Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court on 11 May 2016. He also pleaded guilty to several burglaries between 18 and 24 August 2015 and was given a six‑year sentence with three years suspended, imposed by the same judge at Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court on 17 June 2016. The sentences were consecutive. Duggan appealed both sentences, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, holding the sentences were appropriate. The Court noted the victim's fear for her 10‑year‑old son, the threat of shooting, and Duggan's history of 115 convictions, including 28 for burglary, 13 for theft, and four for robbery with violence. The Court found no error of principle and affirmed the consecutive sentences.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Serial burglar loses appeal against 9-year prison term. Charges or matters: burglary of home in Tipperary and making a threat to kill on December 23, 2015; a number of burglaries committed between August 18 and 24, 2015. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- December 23, 2015 Incident
- May 11, 2016 Incident
- August 18 Incident
- June 17, 2016 Incident
- 2018-04-26 Publication
Why: Giving judgement in the three-judge court, Mr Justice John Hedigan said the injured party for the Clonmel offence had left her home in order to go and assist a friend in cleaning her house leaving her 10-year-old son at home as the only occupant. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: burglary of home in Tipperary and making a threat to kill on December 23, 2015; a number of burglaries committed between August 18 and 24, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced at Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court to ten years imprisonment with the final four suspended by Judge Thomas Teehan on May 11, 2016. Duggan's lawyers submitted that the cumulative sentence was wrong in law and that consecutive sentences should not have been imposed.
Places mentioned
- Ballinderry
- Ballinderry Park
- Cork
Topics
Burglary Stage Appeal Theft Violent Crime
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