Courts / Dublin / Report

Gambling addict staged salon burglary to cover up theft

Summary

In a case heard by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Joseph Heffernan, aged 43, admitted to staging a burglary at Body & Soul Salon in Rathmines on 25 July 2019 to conceal theft from two employees. Heffernan claimed the salon's owner, his former partner, was absent and that he was helping run the business. He told Gardaí that a front‑door incident had occurred, but omitted that €6,670 and £40 had been stolen from employee lockers. CCTV showed him entering the salon and leaving with a bag shortly after. He later confessed to taking money over months and stealing from employees to repay the salon. Heffernan also claimed he had dropped a laptop and recording box in a skip, only to find them missing later. He has a prior speeding conviction. The court ordered a probation report and assessment of his fitness for community service, with sentencing set for 25 October. Joseph Heffernan pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gambling addict staged salon burglary to cover up theft. Charges or matters: theft and making a false statement to gardaí at Body & Soul Salon, Wynnefield Road, Rathmines, on July 25, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• July 25, 2019 Incident
• October 25 Adjournment
• 2019-07-09 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report