Courts / Dublin / Report

Armed home invader found asleep on side of road

Summary

Christian Goonery, 33, was sentenced to two‑and‑a‑half years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated burglary at Kilcronain Cross, Clondalkin, on 11 June 2020. He entered the home armed with a knife, claiming a "romantic falling out" as the motive. The owner of the house, a man in his mid‑sixties, saw Goonery walk in with the knife and threatened to stab him. The owner, his grandson and another man barricaded themselves in a shed; Goonery kicked at the shed door, screamed threats, and placed a gas cylinder through the window. Small children were present. Goonery discarded the knife in the driveway and was later found asleep on the side of the road by Gardaí, who arrested him. The court noted his intoxication and history of substance abuse, and Judge Martin Nolan praised the owner's courage and sentenced Goonery accordingly.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Armed home invader found asleep on side of road. Charges or matters: aggravated burglary at Kilcronain Cross, Clondalkin, on June 11, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• June 11, 2020 Incident
• 2020-11-19 Publication

Why: He agreed Goonery was engaging with a number of agencies and this came to an end because of Covid. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report