Courts / Dublin / Report

Defence describe serial offender as "gentleman burglar"

Date
2019-11-27
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Robert McCabe, aged 48, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to seven burglaries committed between 11 November and 21 December 2018, targeting six commercial premises, including a restaurant twice. He admitted stealing €2,170, a computer tablet, and other items, and was found with burglary tools and cash. McCabe's defence counsel, Emmet Nolan, described him as a "gentleman burglar" with a lifelong heroin addiction that motivated the offences. Judge Martin Nolan noted McCabe's extensive criminal record of 123 convictions, 54 for burglary, and his inability to stop. He accepted McCabe's guilty pleas, cooperation, and efforts to leave heroin, and sentenced him to four and a half years' imprisonment. The court highlighted that McCabe's primary motive was to obtain funds for heroin. The judge also acknowledged the defendant's ongoing methadone programme and employment since remand.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Defence describe serial offender as "gentleman burglar". Charges or matters: seven burglaries, raiding one restaurant twice, on dates between November 11 and December 21, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: A "committed burglar" who raided six commercial premises in six weeks in order to feed a life-long heroin addiction has been jailed for four and half years. CNI source report

Case subjects

Robert McCabe

Defendant

Charges: seven burglaries, raiding one restaurant twice, on dates between November 11 and December 21, 2018 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mr Nolan said McCabe has been working since he was remanded in custody and is currently on a methadone programme.

Places mentioned

Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

Topics

Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Theft

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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