Courts / Dublin / Report
'Shameful, cowardly': violent burglar who beat neighbour (73) gets 7.5-year sentence
Summary
Alan Downey, aged 40, was sentenced to seven‑and‑a‑half years in prison for a violent burglary that took place in the home of a 73‑year‑old neighbour. The offence occurred while Downey was on bail for three earlier attempted robberies. He and a co‑perpetrator entered the victim's house after the victim recognised Downey, demanding €6,000. Downey was armed with a screwdriver, the other man with a knife. The victim was dragged, had his walking stick broken, and was left in a state of terror. Downey pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and was given consecutive sentences totalling seven and a half years. The judge suspended the final 22 months, imposing strict conditions including 18 months of probation and two years of good behaviour. The sentence reflects Downey's prior convictions, drug difficulties, and the seriousness of the assault on the victim.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Shameful, cowardly': violent burglar who beat neighbour (73) gets 7.5-year sentence. Charges or matters: aggravated burglary on his own road on November 20, 2020; attempted robberies at Spar, Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, and at Far East Restaurant, Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, both on April 19, 2020; attempted robbery, production of a knife and two counts of assault causing harm at Londis, Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, on May 24, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 20, 2020 Incident
- November 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 19, 2020 Incident
- May 24, 2020 Incident
- April 2020 Incident
- May 2020 Incident
- 2022-05-10 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: aggravated burglary on his own road on November 20, 2020; attempted robberies at Spar, Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, and at Far East Restaurant, Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, both on April 19, 2020; attempted robbery, production of a knife and two counts of assault causing harm at Londis, Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, on May 24, 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Melanie Greally imposed consecutive sentences totalling seven and a half years. She suspended the final 22 months of the sentence on strict conditions including that Downey engage with the Probation Service for 18 months and keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Colepark Road
- Ballyfermot Road
- Ballyfermot Road
Topics
Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request