Courts / Dublin / Report
Serial burglar who used public transport to "case" homes has 14-week sentence increased
Summary
Joseph Shannon, 46, had 38 prior burglary convictions and used the DART and LUAS to "case" homes before breaking in. He pleaded guilty to eight burglaries in Dublin between April and August 2014 and was originally sentenced to three years, with all but 14 weeks suspended, by Judge Petria McDonnell on 11 April 2016. The DPP appealed, arguing the sentence was "unduly lenient." In the Court of Appeal, Judge John Edwards re‑sentenced Shannon to three years imprisonment on each count, with the final nine months of each suspended, and backdated the sentence to account for the 14 weeks spent on remand. The new term is two years and three months, and Shannon must enter a good‑behaviour bond. The court noted his relapse after the initial suspension and his failure to take the opportunities for rehabilitation that had been offered. The decision was made by a three‑judge panel including Judges George Birmingham and Alan Mahon.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Serial burglar who used public transport to "case" homes has 14-week sentence increased. Charges or matters: eight burglaries in the capital on a series of dates between April and August 2014; in the Circuit Court In Glasnevin's Dalcassian Downs in Dublin, Shannon confronted a woman while she was in bed but not asleep after entering through the bathroom window of her home; "yet another similar type of burglary". Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- August 2014 Adjournment
- April 11, 2016 Adjournment
- July 10, 2014 Incident
- June 12 Incident
- June 24 Incident
- August 31, 2014 Incident
- 2018-05-30 Publication
Why: Mr Justice Edwards said the court, at an earlier hearing, had been minded to deal with the matter non-custodially but "we no longer consider that we are in a position to do so" because Shannon had regrettably relapsed again. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: eight burglaries in the capital on a series of dates between April and August 2014; in the Circuit Court In Glasnevin's Dalcassian Downs in Dublin, Shannon confronted a woman while she was in bed but not asleep after entering through the bathroom window of her home; "yet another similar type of burglary" (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The Director of Public Prosecutions successfully sought a review of Shannon's sentence on grounds that it was "unduly lenient" and he was accordingly re-sentenced in the Court of Appeal to three years imprisonment with the final nine months suspended today. Mr Justice Edwards, who sat with President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice Alan Mahon, re-sentenced Shannon to three years imprisonment on each count to run concurrently with the final nine months of each suspended.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- The Circuit Court
- Manor Street
- Kilmacud Road
- Drummartin Park
Topics
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