Courts / Dublin / Report
Suspended sentence for aggravated burglary on home of 81-year-old man
Summary
Gillian O'Donnell, 38, received a four‑year suspended sentence for aggravated burglary at an Artane house on 19 April 2013. She pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and admitted she was driven to the home by a third person who suggested the burglary would repay a debt. O'Donnell claimed she had no knowledge of the violence that would occur and that her ex‑boyfriend, Alex Harris, had 52 prior convictions and was later sentenced to six years for the same offence. The judge noted O'Donnell's drug addiction and her plans for residential treatment, accepted her lesser role, and suspended the sentence under strict conditions. O'Donnell expressed remorse, described duress and a lack of anticipation of Harris's actions, and stated she would not have participated had she known the extent of the violence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for aggravated burglary on home of 81-year-old man. Charges or matters: aggravated burglary at a house in Artane on April 19, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 19, 2013 Adjournment
- April 22nd Incident
- 2014-12-17 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: aggravated burglary at a house in Artane on April 19, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The judge accepted O'Donnell had a lesser role in the crime and suspended the sentence for four years under strict conditions.; Judge Mary Ellen Ring noted that sentencing had been adjourned on occasion to allow O'Donnell to deal with her drug addiction.
Places mentioned
- Bremore Pastures Way
- Balbriggan
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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