Courts / Dublin / Report

Serial burglar caught with school safe under arm while out on bail

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 13 December 2021, Martin Ward, 43, was found guilty of possession of a stolen school safe and possession of burglary articles. Ward, who has 42 prior convictions, was on bail for 11 other offences when he was caught by gardai running down a busy city street with a school safe under his arm. Gardaí had earlier observed him attempting to enter premises using a plastic slip, and on 4 August 2020 he was seen trying to gain entry to an apartment block on Bolton Street. He was apprehended in the foyer before accessing any apartments. The safe, taken from St Declan's school, was returned to the school. Judge Melanie Greally imposed consecutive sentences totalling three years, suspending the final six months to encourage Ward's efforts to address his drug difficulties.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Serial burglar caught with school safe under arm while out on bail. Charges or matters: possession of a stolen safe on November 2, 2020 and possession of articles to be used in connection with burglary on August 4, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• November 2, 2020 Incident
• August 4, 2020 Incident
• 2021-12-13 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Theft

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