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Serial offender with 115 previous burglary convictions before court again

Summary

John Matthews, 42, returned to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after breaking into a house on Upper Glenageary Road on 5 September 2020, a month after his release from prison on a suspended sentence. He had served half of a nine‑year term for 56 burglaries committed in 16 months; the second half was suspended on conditions including keeping the peace for five years and attending drug treatment. Matthews pleaded guilty to the September burglary, which involved a smashed back window and the theft of small‑value cash, including a 200,000 Thai baht note. The note was later found at Matthews' home. He has 124 previous convictions, 115 of which are burglary convictions. Judge Pauline Codd noted his record is shocking, acknowledged his drug habit, and adjourned the case to 21 February next year to consider his placement on a drug treatment programme. She said he is now facing a substantial amount of time in prison.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Serial offender with 115 previous burglary convictions before court again. Charges or matters: that burglary. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• July 2020 Incident
• September 5, 2020 Incident
• February 21 Adjournment
• 2021-12-17 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report