Courts / Dublin / Report
Rapist threatened to burn down prison officer's house
Summary
James Cronin, a 36‑year‑old rapist serving a burglary sentence, was given an additional two‑year term for threatening to burn down a prison officer's house at Arbour Hill Prison. He told the officer he knew where she lived and would set her home alight if she refused to serve him tobacco at the prison tuck shop. The court noted that prisoners have scheduled times to use the tuck shop and that Cronin had lied about being unable to attend his slot a day later. Garda Redmond O'Leary said this was the first time the officer felt compelled to report the threat, despite 17 years of similar incidents. Judge Melanie Greally described the threat as "sufficiently menacing and convincing" and imposed a two‑year sentence with nine months suspended, citing Cronin's history of mental health issues and prior convictions for false imprisonment, rape, attempted rape, sexual assault and burglary.".
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Rapist threatened to burn down prison officer's house. Charges or matters: threatening to damage the prison officer's home. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 16, 2015 Incident
- October 2004 Incident
- December 2004 Incident
- 2018-10-18 Publication
Why: He said Cronin had elected for 23 hour lock-up because he is an easy and vulnerable target. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: threatening to damage the prison officer's home (Alleged Or Contested)
Places mentioned
- Arbour Hill Prison
- Central Mental Hospital
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Burglary Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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