Courts / Dublin / Report
Suspended sentence for high-on-cocaine snowstorm looter
Summary
David Berney, 37, of Suncroft Park, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to burglary of a Centra store in Jobstown on 2 March 2018 during Storm Emma. He was already on bail for a 2014 burglary of a private home in Stepaside, for which he had also pleaded guilty. Berney admitted that his offences were driven by a drug habit, citing cocaine use at the time of the shop looting. He has prior convictions for robbery, assault, burglary and threats to kill. Judge Cormac Quinn sentenced him to two years for the 2014 burglary and an additional 18 months for the 2018 looting, suspending the latter on the condition of keeping the peace and engaging in addiction and social reintegration services. The court noted Berney was found hiding in the shop's cash room, and a sledgehammer was used by accomplices to break into the back offices. The case remains under the jurisdiction of the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for high-on-cocaine snowstorm looter. Charges or matters: burglary of the Centra store in Jobstown, Tallaght on March 2 last (2018); that offence. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 2 Incident
- December 3, 2014 Incident
- 2018-11-30 Publication
Why: He said because of the severe weather, officers travelled to the shop in an official jeep. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: burglary of the Centra store in Jobstown, Tallaght on March 2 last (2018); that offence (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Quinn imposed a two-year sentence for the 2014 burglary.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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