Courts / Dublin / Report
Man who staged burglary to cover up theft avoids jail
Summary
Joseph Heffernan, aged 43, pleaded guilty to theft and making a false statement to Gardaí after staging a burglary at Body & Soul Salon in Rathmines on 25 July 2019. He had stolen €6,670 and £40 from the lockers of two employees while his then‑partner, the salon owner, was away. He later admitted to taking money from the salon over several months to repay the salon. He returned most of the stolen money and paid €1,120 in court to cover the remaining balance. Judge Patricia Ryan, noting the breach of trust and the amount involved, imposed a two‑year imprisonment sentence, suspended in its entirety on strict conditions, and ordered 90 hours of community service within 12 months. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The judge highlighted Heffernan's guilty plea, admissions, good employment record and gambling addiction as mitigating factors.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who staged burglary to cover up theft avoids jail. 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 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2019-11-11 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: theft and making a false statement to gardaí at Body & Soul Salon, Wynnefield Road, Rathmines, on July 25, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Patricia Ryan noted that the majority of the money has been returned to the injured parties and that Heffernan had €1,120 in court to make up the balance of the outstanding funds. She sentenced him to two years imprisonment, but suspended the sentence in its entirety on strict conditions.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Sean O'Casey Avenue
- Dublin
- Wynnefield Road
Topics
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