Courts / Tipperary / Report

Burglar who made off with man's life savings has sentence reduced

Date
2015-02-06

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Clonmel

Summary

Martin Reilly, 27, of Father Matthew Court, Tipperary Town, was convicted of burglary at a private home on Cashel Road, Clonmel, on 27 June 2011. He was found guilty by a jury at Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court and originally sentenced to eight years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. In the Court of Appeal, Reilly's conviction was upheld but his sentence was reduced by two years. The Court, led by Mr Justice George Birmingham, noted that the victim was a restaurateur who discovered his house "upended" and his life savings of €35,000 had been taken. Gardaí recovered the money after Reilly fled, dropping the bag into nettles. The Court considered Reilly's prior convictions and, after reviewing the case, imposed a new sentence of six years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. The appeal was heard by Mr Justice Birmingham, Mr Justice Seán Ryan and Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan. Martin Reilly pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Burglar who made off with man's life savings has sentence reduced. Charges or matters: burglary at a private home on Cashel Road, Clonmel, Co Tipperary on June 27, 2011. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

June 27, 2011 Incident
June 5 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
2015-02-06 Publication

Case subjects

Martin Reilly

Appellant

Charges: burglary at a private home on Cashel Road, Clonmel, Co Tipperary on June 27, 2011 (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; He was found guilty by a jury at Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court and sentenced to eight years imprisonment with the final two suspended by Judge Thomas Teehan on June 5 2013. Mr Justice Birmingham, who sat with President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice Seán Ryan and Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, imposed a new sentence of six years imprisonment with the final two suspended.