Courts / Dublin / Report

Couple who "terrorised" man during violent burglary are jailed

Date
2018-10-31

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Carlos Lawrence, aged 27, and his partner Catherine Dempsey, aged 26, were sentenced to a combined 12 years for a burglary and theft that took place on 13 December 2017 at Wainsfort Manor Grove, Terenure. Lawrence pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and theft of over €16,000, using a wedge hammer, and had 51 prior convictions. Dempsey pleaded guilty to stealing €15,000 in cash and burglary at the same time and place, with seven prior convictions. Lawrence received seven years, with 12 months suspended, while Dempsey received five years, with three years suspended. The judge noted Lawrence's remorse, drug addiction, and potential for productivity, and Dempsey's remorse, pressure, and low risk of re‑offending. The case involved a violent intrusion into the home of Alan Greene, who suffered significant distress and financial loss. The court recorded that both defendants had expressed remorse to the victim and to each other.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Couple who "terrorised" man during violent burglary are jailed. Charges or matters: theft and aggravated burglary while armed with a wedge hammer, at Wainsfort Manor Grove, Terenure, Dublin, on December 13, 2017; stealing €15,000 in cash and burglary at the same time and same place. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

December 13, 2017 Incident
2018-10-31 Publication

Case subjects

Carlos Lawrence

Defendant

Charges: theft and aggravated burglary while armed with a wedge hammer, at Wainsfort Manor Grove, Terenure, Dublin, on December 13, 2017; stealing €15,000 in cash and burglary at the same time and same place (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Lawrence was sentenced to seven years with the final 12 months suspended after the judge allowed for the fact that he was "in the throes of a severe drug addiction" at the time, that he had expressed remorse, had a good work history and difficult background. Detective Sergeant Jason Miley told Antonia Boyle BL, prosecuting at the sentence hearing earlier this month, that Alan Greene was asleep in his bedroom when Lawrence smashed through the glass of the room's French doors with a hammer.; Judge Melanie Greally had previously adjourned the case after hearing evidence earlier this month.

Catherine Dempsey

Defendant

Charges: stealing €15,000 in cash and burglary at the same time and same place (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Dempsey was sentenced to five years with the final three years suspended after Judge Greally took into account the fact that she was "acting under pressure", that she expressed remorse and that a probation report puts her at "a low risk of re-offending".; Judge Melanie Greally had previously adjourned the case after hearing evidence earlier this month.