Courts / Dublin / Report
Serial burglar busted after falling asleep
Summary
John Maher, 48, of Drimnagh, was found asleep by Garda Caroline Kelly in possession of stolen jewellery and later pleaded guilty to two burglaries. The first was at Keeper Road, Drimnagh, on 19 October 2017, where a back window was smashed and electronic items worth €1,200 were stolen; blood on the wall matched Maher's DNA. The second was at Crumlin Road, Crumlin, on 18 October 2018. In both cases Maher claimed he had no memory of the offences. He has 42 prior convictions, including aggravated burglary, burglary and criminal damage, and a serious heroin addiction, though he has been on methadone since 2002. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to three and a half years' imprisonment, suspending the final 12 months on strict conditions. The suspended portion is separate from the effective custodial term. All stolen items were returned. The court noted his guilty plea, good prison behaviour and the link between his addiction and offending as mitigating factors.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Serial burglar busted after falling asleep. Charges or matters: burglary at Keeper Road, Drimnagh, on October 19, 2017; burglary at Crumlin Road, Crumlin on October 18, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 19, 2017 Incident
- October 18, 2018 Incident
- 2019-06-19 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: burglary at Keeper Road, Drimnagh, on October 19, 2017; burglary at Crumlin Road, Crumlin on October 18, 2018 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Melanie Greally sentenced Maher to three and a half year's imprisonment but suspended the final 12 months of the sentence on strict conditions.
Places mentioned
- Mourne Road
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Keeper Road
- Crumlin Road
Topics
Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Theft
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