Courts / Dublin / Report

'Nasty' burglars restrained by apartment residents

Date
2020-10-19
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

On 7 March 2020, Raymond Neeson (44) and Francis Duffy (43) were caught breaking into Central Park Apartments in Leopardstown. Neeson assaulted three residents, spat blood in a Garda car, broke a wing mirror and defecated in a Garda cell, while Duffy tried to hand Neeson a shatter hammer and fire extinguisher before both were restrained by the residents. Neeson pleaded guilty to burglary, three counts of assault causing harm, a threat to kill or cause serious harm to a Garda, and criminal damage to a squad car. Duffy pleaded guilty to burglary. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Neeson to four and a half years' imprisonment and Duffy to two and a half years' imprisonment, noting Neeson's more serious conduct and Duffy's lesser role. Both men have numerous prior convictions. The case was heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Nasty' burglars restrained by apartment residents. Charges or matters: burglary and three counts of assault causing harm at Central Park Apartments Leopardstown on March 7, 2020; making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to a garda and causing criminal damage to a squad car at Dundrum Garda Station; burglary on the same occasion. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Francis Duffy

Convicted Person

Charges: burglary on the same occasion (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Today Judge Nolan sentenced Duffy to two and a half years imprisonment noting that he had to accept Duffy played a lesser role in the offence, which he said, was a "nasty" burglary.

Raymond Neeson

Defendant

Charges: burglary and three counts of assault causing harm at Central Park Apartments Leopardstown on March 7, 2020; making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to a garda and causing criminal damage to a squad car at Dundrum Garda Station (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Places mentioned

Garda Station
  • in cells at the garda station
  • squad car at Dundrum Garda Station
  • Dundrum
  • was brought into the garda station
  • cell in the garda station
Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Incident
  • Central Park

Topics

Burglary Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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