Courts / Dublin / Report

Cathedral thief tried to escape from custody

Date
2018-05-31

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin City

County
Dublin

Summary

Liam Walsh, aged 26, was sentenced to two and a half years' imprisonment for a series of thefts committed in Dublin during 2017. Over a two‑month period he stole bags, purses, wallets and a handbag from unsuspecting patrons of restaurants, a bar, Christchurch Cathedral and Whitefriar Street church. CCTV footage identified him and he was arrested on 20 October 2017. While in custody at Pearse Street Garda Station he attempted to escape in a "moment of madness" when the back gate opened to admit a Garda vehicle; he was pursued and recaptured a short distance away. Walsh pleaded guilty to the thefts and the escape, and he has 66 prior convictions. The judge, citing his attempts at rehabilitation and cooperation, imposed the sentence back‑dated to October 2017.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Cathedral thief tried to escape from custody. Charges or matters: thefts at a variety of premises in Dublin city centre on dates in September and October 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

October 2017 Incident
October 20, 2017 Incident
2018-05-31 Publication

Case subjects

Liam Walsh

Defendant

Charges: thefts at a variety of premises in Dublin city centre on dates in September and October 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: She asked the court to take into account Walsh had previously rehabilitated himself from drug use after a sentence in 2012 and had not been coming to garda attention prior to these crimes. Judge Nolan imposed a two and a half year sentence which he backdated to October 2017.