Courts / Limerick / Report
Man (21) has 10-year sentence for aggravated burglary upheld
Summary
Craig O'Donnell, aged 21, was convicted in 2014 of aggravated burglary, burglary, possession of a knife, robbery, possession of a firearm and escape from lawful custody in Limerick. He received a ten‑year sentence, with 18 months suspended, imposed by Judge Tom O'Donnell on 5 May 2017. In a Court of Appeal hearing, Mr Justice George Birmingham asked whether the sentence should be increased in light of recent guidance on burglary sentencing. The three‑judge panel, led by Mr Justice John Edwards, upheld the original eight‑and‑a‑half‑year jail term. Edwards noted that O'Donnell's first offences were committed at age 17 and 18, that he had a history of drug problems and four prior convictions, and that the Court of Appeal found no error in principle. The appeal was dismissed, leaving the sentence unchanged. Craig O'Donnell pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man (21) has 10-year sentence for aggravated burglary upheld. Charges or matters: a series of offences including aggravated burglary, burglary, possession of a knife, robbery, possession of a firearm and escape from lawful custody in the city in 2014. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- May 5, 2017 Incident
- 2018-07-02 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: a series of offences including aggravated burglary, burglary, possession of a knife, robbery, possession of a firearm and escape from lawful custody in the city in 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was given a total ten year sentence with the final 18 months suspended by Judge Tom O'Donnell at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on May 5, 2017. At one stage during the appeal hearing, President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham asked whether the court should consider increasing O'Donnell's sentence given recent guidance offered by the court on sentencing in burglary cases.
Places mentioned
- O'Malley Park
- Limerick
- Limerick Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
Burglary Drugs Stage Appeal Theft
Related court reports
- Manager at global IT firm denies company 'lied' about position of former Irish employee
- High Court refuses to surrender Limerick man wanted for alleged human trafficking in Greece
- Tipperary man admits attempted murder
- Volunteer who said he was sacked for warning Church officials of 'rogue' relic traders can't pursue case, WRC rules
- Appearance of tips machine in cafe that pulled in €5k unexplained, tribunal notes
- 'You've to get the morning after pill': man who was 18 when he raped girl (15) gets seven years
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request