Courts / Dublin / Report

Convicted killer tried to convince shopkeeper he would pay for cigarettes later

Summary

In a case heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, 45‑year‑old Pierce Byrne of Hazelwood Crescent, Hartstown, pleaded guilty to theft after stealing a packet of 20 cigarettes from a Spar shop on 19 August 2019. Byrne entered the shop, requested the cigarettes, and after receiving them asked the shopkeeper if he could pay later. The shopkeeper refused, and Byrne left with the cigarettes, refusing to return them when pursued outside. CCTV footage identified Byrne, and he admitted the offence during an interview. He has 46 prior convictions, including manslaughter, robbery, burglary, theft and assault. Byrne's defence highlighted his addiction history and that he had stopped taking bipolar medication around the time of the offence. Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced him to 10 months' imprisonment, back‑dating the term to 1 December 2019 when he first entered custody.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Convicted killer tried to convince shopkeeper he would pay for cigarettes later. Charges or matters: theft at Spar, Hartstown Road, Hartstown, on August 19, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• August 19, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
• December 1, 2019 Incident
• 2020-09-28 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report