Courts / Dublin / Report
Serial burglar with "enormous list of previous convictions" has prison sentence reduced by Court of Appeal
Summary
John Paul Maughan, aged 33, had his five‑year burglary sentence reduced to three years by the Court of Appeal. Maughan was convicted in December 2013 of burglary and threatening to kill at a Temple Bar premises. The original sentence, imposed by Judge Patrick McCartan, was five years imprisonment with the final year suspended for burglary and three years for threatening to kill. On appeal, barrister Luigi Rea argued that Maughan had no intention to rob the premises and that the offence was committed while he was on bail. Judge Seán Ryan found that the trial judge had erred in principle by sentencing Maughan to five years, noting the seriousness of burglary and Maughan's extensive criminal record. The Court therefore reduced the burglary sentence to three years, which Maughan will serve consecutively with the three‑year threatening‑to‑kill term. The reduction was based on the circumstances of the crime and the need to protect the community.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Serial burglar with "enormous list of previous convictions" has prison sentence reduced by Court of Appeal. Charges or matters: burglary and threatening to kill at a premises in Temple Bar in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last December. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- September 2013 Other
- 2014-11-12 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: burglary and threatening to kill at a premises in Temple Bar in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last December (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; He was sentenced to five years imprisonment with the final year suspended for burglary and three years for threatening to kill by Judge Patrick McCartan. Mr Justice Seán Ryan said the Appeal consisted of a very simple issue which was whether the trial judge erred in principle by sentencing Maughan to five years imprisonment with the final year suspended for the offence of burglary.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Upper Camden Street
- Dublin
Topics
Related court reports
- Brothers attacked man in toilet cubicle after Tyson Fury match 'banter'
- 'Heartless and cruel' - judge highlights lack of humanity during attempted robbery
- Violent criminal with 123 priors stabbed English tourist in Temple Bar
- 'Green-fingered' pensioner avoids jail for cultivating cannbis
- Criminal lied to court about having child and work with family takeaway business
- Gardai rumbled two criminals who tried to extort money from German tourist
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request