Courts / Dublin / Report

Forensics report delayed for two years in case against serial burglar (21)

Summary

A court heard that a serial burglar, Lewis Smith, 21, was linked to a 2015 burglary after a two‑year delay in a forensic report that identified his DNA on blood left at the scene. Smith had 30 prior convictions, ten of which were burglaries, and pleaded guilty to trespass and theft at Hazel Grove, Tallaght. The burglary caused €1,400 in damage and theft of items worth €800. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a two‑year sentence with nine months suspended and reactivated six months of a partially suspended robbery sentence to run concurrently. Smith was already serving another sentence due to expire next year. The judge noted the burglary lacked aggravating factors but had an upsetting effect on the victim, who declined to give a victim impact statement. Smith's personal turmoil, including a family death, was cited as a factor in his criminal behaviour.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Forensics report delayed for two years in case against serial burglar (21). Charges or matters: trespass and theft at Hazel Grove, Tallaght, Dublin, on April 10, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• April 10, 2015 Incident
• 2018-07-18 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report