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Church-burglar who tried to steal charity items sentenced to 2.5 years

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Thomas Dillon, aged 34 and without a fixed address, was sentenced to two and a half years' imprisonment for aggravated burglary and possession of a knife. On 6 February 2014, Dillon broke into St Canice's Church in Finglas, smashing a stained‑glass window and entering the parish office by kicking the door. He attempted to steal cash, a laptop and two bags of mobile phones that had been collected for the Jack & Jill Foundation. Garda Ronan Farrelly reported that Dillon was found at the foot of the altar armed with a knife, that lights were turned on and he was ordered to drop the weapon. The damage to the church, including the window repair, was estimated at €2,800. Dillon pleaded guilty to both offences and has been in residential treatment since September.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Church-burglar who tried to steal charity items sentenced to 2.5 years. Charges or matters: aggravated burglary at the church on Main Street in Finglas on February 6, 2014; being in possession of a knife on the same date at the same place. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• February 6, 2014 Incident
• 2014-12-17 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report